Public health chief has this important Covid message

Infection rates have been rising at an alarming pace across the Liverpool City Region, with St Helens’ rate doubling in a week.

The massive increase in cases reflects what is happening elsewhere in the country, and is largely believed to be being driven by the new Covid variant.

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A national lockdown now looks increasingly likely, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson set to address the nation later this evening, where he will announce tougher measures in response to the rapid rise in cases.

It comes after Nicola Sturgeon announced earlier today that Scotland will enter a nationwide lockdown from midnight.

In the Liverpool City Region, the infection rate jumped from 209 to 498.4 per 100,000 population in the week ending December 31.

During that time, St Helens’ infection rate shot up from 204.4 to 371, and the number of positive cases have continued to stack up.

As of January 2, St Helens’ infection rate had increased to 449.6 cases per 100,000 population, with 409 more cases added in the last two days alone.

Sue Forster, St Helens Borough Council’s director of public health, said: “As a borough we are seeing deeply concerning rises in cases, with our infection rates doubling in less than a week, with the latest figures showing we are now at 449.6 cases per 100,000 population.

“And in a period between December 27 to January 2, 812 new cases were diagnosed, compared to 369 between December 23 to 29.

“St Helens borough is following a similar path to our neighbours across the region and country as a whole as we see cases escalate at an alarming rate.

“Now more than ever we have to take extreme care in what we do, reduce contacts with anyone from outside your household wherever possible to reduce the risk of spreading, particularly with a new strain which we have been told is far easier to pass on to others.

“Also remember to keep washing your hands, covering your face and keeping distance from others when out and about.”

Hands, face and space is still a vital tool in helping slow the spread of Covid-19

If you have symptoms of a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or have lost your sense of taste or smell, you should book a Covid test.

Ms Forster also urged anyone feeling unwell generally to think about minimising time spent with others and to book a traditional test, as many people display a wide variety of symptoms.

If you do feel well you can also get a symptom-free test at the three walk-in mass testing centres currently operating in the borough.

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These are based at St Mary’s Indoor Market in St Helens town centre, Chester Lane Community Centre in Sutton Manor and Grange Valley Youth Centre in Haydock

Ms Forster added: “With vaccinations under way we do have hope that we can see a time in the future where we do not have to live with such measures.

“But with that in mind we must all do what we can now to keep ourselves and each other safe by following the guidance clearly.”