Wirral's public health director has warned residents COVID-19 has not gone away.

Updating residents on the latest picture, Julie Webster was clear that although the plan was now to live with COVID we cannot ignore it, an important warning given 66 people are in Wirral's hospitals with the virus on the latest figures.

Ms Webster said: "Living safely with COVID-19 does not mean ignoring it. The virus continues to circulate in our communities and case rates have remained consistently high over the past few weeks.

"Free, universal community testing has now ended – meaning we no longer have detailed data on how many people have the virus locally but I need to stress that COVID-19 has not gone away. I urge Wirral residents to help prevent the virus spreading by doing the things we have done so well for the past two years.

"If you've not had the vaccine yet, it's not too late to get your first jab. If you are due to have your 2nd or booster doses, get them as soon as you can.

"You can make an appointment online here, or by calling 119. You can also book an appointment with your GP."

The latest COVID numbers for Wirral go right up until the last day free testing was available and show cases falling. In the week up to March 31, the infection rate was 836 per 100,000, a 20% fall on last week's figures.

It is good news as throughout most of March cases went up, with the rate shooting up from 258 per 100,000 in the week up to February 26, to 1,042 per 100,000 in the week up to March 24. Many people are still being treated for the virus in Wirral's hospitals, 66 on the latest numbers we have, which are for March 29.

That is a fall on the previous week's figure of 70, a number which rose massively from just 15 on March 1 as cases surged in the borough. The number of deaths registered within 28 days of a positive test remains low.

Under the new testing rules, those most at risk and certain other groups can still access free lateral flow tests. You can see a full eligibility list here.

For those not eligible for free tests, they can be purchased over the counter in pharmacies, and some high street stores, starting from as little as £1.99.

In order to prevent the virus spreading, residents are advised to get their jab, wash their hands regularly and limit their contact with others or stay at home should they have symptoms of the virus or test positive for it.

Updated list of COVID-19 symptoms:

- Continuous cough

- High temperature, fever or chills

- Loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell

- Shortness of breath

- Unexplained tiredness, lack of energy

- Muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise

- Not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry

- Headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual

- Sore throat, stuffy or runny nose

- Diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick