Fewer people are being treated for COVID-19 in Wirral compared to last week, when the local NHS was said to be under "considerable pressure".

In recent weeks, the number of COVID related hospitalisations in Wirral has surged. 98 people were in hospital with COVID-19 on January 11, up from 73 on January 4 and just 28 on December 28.

Speaking last week, Julie Webster, Wirral Council's director of public health, said: "Very high levels of the virus continue to circulate in the community, so it is important to remember that we are not out of the woods yet.

"Locally, the NHS and social care continue to be under considerable pressure – which we expect will be the case for some time to come."

The most recent figures show covid pressures have eased slightly, with the number of COVID-19 patients falling from 98 on January 11 to 94 on January 18.

It may only be a small decline, but it is an important one, as it suggests the trend of surging COVID patient numbers during the most difficult time of year for the NHS has stopped and is going into reverse.

Whether this pattern will continue only time will tell, but the figures for COVID-19 cases in Wirral are also positive.

Cases were down by 37%, with 3,067 recorded, in the week up to January 18 at a rate of 946 per 100,000.

That is down on the previous week's rate of 1,511 per 100,000, with 4,902 cases registered.

There were nine deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test in Wirral in the week up to January 22.

That is slightly down on the previous week's figure of 11, but higher than the numbers we have generally been seeing since March of last year.

Given falling case numbers across the country, the government has chosen to relax some of the current restrictions.

From Thursday, COVID passes will no longer be compulsory to gain entry to venues and events.

Face masks will no longer be compulsory in public spaces – although they will still be recommended in some places, and restrictions on visits to care homes will be eased.

The Prime Minister has said he hopes to scrap mandatory self-isolation for people who test positive for COVID-19.

The current rules on this expire on March 24, but Boris Johnson is hoping to bring that date forward.