There are now 100 cases of coronavirus in Wirral, more than anywhere else in our region.

In the week up to May 31, there were exactly 100 Covid-19 cases recorded in the borough, at a rate of 30.9 per 100,000.

That is the most cases Wirral has had since March 14, more than two-and-a-half months ago.

It is also a huge rise on the 24 cases registered last week, at the much lower rate of 7.4 per 100,000.

Commenting on figures published on Tuesday which also showed the virus spreading more, Julie Webster, Wirral's director of public health, said: "This increase in cases is due to the easing of restrictions and people socialising more and also the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant which was first identified in India."

Ms Webster added: "The new variant is very transmissible which is why we all need to keep following the guidelines and meet up safely.

"It is vitally important that we continue to do the right things, remember hands, face, space and fresh air, get vaccinated and take up the offer of regular testing.

"We do know that the Covid-19 vaccine still provides strong protection and I would encourage those who are eligible to join over 200,000 Wirral residents in getting vaccinated when you are offered the jab.

"Making sure you have both doses of the vaccine really is your best protection from Covid-19 and serious illness."

Across most of the rest of the Liverpool City Region cases have also risen on the same week-by-week comparison, albeit not as quickly as in Wirral.

In Liverpool, the infection rate is now 21.5 per 100,000, up from 9.2 last week.

Similarly, Knowsley's rate is now 21.2, up from 11.2 last week, while St Helens' rate increased from 10.0 to 22.7 on the same weekly comparison.

Sefton's rate has risen to 21.0 from 13.0 last week.

Halton is the only part of the city region which has not experienced a surge in Covid-19 cases.

In fact, Halton's rate is 8.5, the exact same rate as was recorded last week.

If you are aged 30 or over, or if you turn 30 before July 1, 2021, you can now book your Covid-19 vaccine. Find out all you need to know here.