COVID stats update: hospitalisations and case numbers well down

The number of people in Wirral's hospitals with COVID-19 has fallen massively, with cases also down.

In March, the picture looked worrying. At the start of the month the borough had just 15 patients, but by early April around 100 people were being treated for the virus in Wirral's hospitals.

In recent weeks, things have dramatically improved. On April 12, the borough had 98 COVID patients, but on the most recent figures, for April 26, this had fallen to 58.

This is still far above figures for early March, but it is a clear sign things are moving in the right direction. On cases, there is good news also.

Wirral's infection rate was just 201 per 100,000 in the week up to April 24, 25% down on last week. This is a huge fall considering the rate was more than 1,000 per 100,000 near the end of March.

Yet it must be said any comparisons looking back at case numbers in previous months should be taken with a pinch of salt, as free testing ended at the end of March meaning some may be discouraged from getting a test even if they may have the virus.

There were eight deaths registered within 28 days of a positive test in the week up to April 28, a similar figure to those we have seen in recent weeks.