By George Morgan, Local Democracy Reporter

The number of people with COVID-19 in Wirral's hospitals is rising, which is worrying news for the NHS locally, even though case numbers are down.

On the latest figures, which cover April 12, there were 98 COVID-19 patients in Wirral's hospitals. That is up from 97 the week before and a massive rise on the figure of 15 recorded at the start of last month.

But, unlike at previous times in the pandemic, case numbers have not continued to rise along with hospitalisation numbers. In the week up to April 9, Wirral had 40% fewer cases than the week before, with the infection rate standing at 444 per 100,000.

As recently as March 26, the rate had been more than 1,000 per 100,000, but a key change made at the start of this month means these figures may not be all they seem. The end of March saw the end of universal free testing in England, meaning people may be discouraged from getting tested even if they may have the virus.

This means that while cases may have fallen by 40%, we do not know for sure whether the virus is in retreat in Wirral as the current numbers could simply be a product of the end of free testing. There were 10 deaths registered within 28 days of a positive COVID test in Wirral in the week up to April 13.

That figure is lower than last week's, when 13 deaths were recorded, but it is a bigger number than those seen across much of February and March. While most will have to pay for COVID tests after the recent rule change, some groups can still access free tests.

Those who can get tested for free if they have COVID symptoms include NHS staff, care home staff and residents, social workers and people who are eligible for COVID-19 antiviral and other treatments. Free testing for those who do not have symptoms is still available for patient-facing NHS staff and adult social care staff, as well as a small number of other groups.