The news comes as the government is reportedly considering ending so-called Plan B rules, which involve things such as mask wearing and vaccine passports, next week.

In the week up to January 11, there were 4,888 COVID-19 cases in Wirral, at a rate of 1,507 per 100,000.

That is down by 49% on the figure of 9,548 cases registered the week before, at the much higher rate of 2,944 per 100,000.

Of course, these case numbers are still huge compared to those we have seen before the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Throughout November and early December, Wirral's infection rate was anywhere from just over 300 per 100,000 to just over 400 per 100,000, far below the current figure.

This has led to increased pressure on the health service.

From March of last year until late December, there had rarely been more than 40 people in Wirral's hospitals with COVID-19, indeed the figures were often much lower.

But in recent weeks there has been a significant increase in hospitalisations.

The latest figures show there were 98 people in Wirral's hospitals with COVID-19 on January 11, up from 73 on January 4 and just 28 on December 28.

It remains to be seen if this pattern of rising COVID-related hospitalisations will continue.

But given that infection rates across the country are falling, Plan B rules could be ditched.

The end of restrictions would mean the removal of mandatory mask wearing, vaccine passports and demands for people to work from home.

This could all come to an end in just 10 days – on January 26, The Sunday Express reports.

However, one rule that is likely to remain is self-isolation.

Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test will still be required to isolate for five days.

On Saturday night, health secretary Sajid Javid was said to be "sure" that all other restrictions will not be needed after the January deadline.