Liverpool City Council is supporting the call being made today for urgent resourcing of testing capacity to respond to the regions current spike in cases.
Chief Executive Tony Reeves said: “Our region is currently facing huge challenges due to the sharp increase of people testing positive for COVID-19.
“The resources currently available to meet the ongoing need for testing are disproportionate to the rising demand in our local area.
“As Liverpool’s Chief Executive I am working collaboratively with partners to ensure residents are reminded of how, when and where to get a test, in the right circumstances, however we need an urgent response to increase capacity.
“The health and safety of our local communities is the top priority and we urge the government to provide additional resources now to avoid further restrictions being implemented which would prove damaging to our region.”
Last week, due to the rapid rise in cases in Liverpool and Merseyside, the region was identified by the Government as an ‘area of concern’.
Across the wider locality, local authorities, health services and partners are working together to implement plans to reduce case numbers but further action is needed to address the issues outlined above with testing and laboratory capacity.
“Along with other Chief Executives across the region I stand in support of our Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, and the other North West leaders who have today asked the government to provide the support this region requires now.”
