Wirral's COVID numbers are rising at pace, with a recent surge in infections ramping up pressure on hospitals.

The most recent figures we have show cases are up by 38%, with 3,027 infections registered in the week up to March 20.

That means 933 people in every 100,000 have the virus currently, in another major week-on-week rise which has seen Wirral's infection rate more than triple since February 25.

This rise in case numbers has begun to translate into more pressure on hospitals. The latest figures, for March 22, show there were 70 people being treated for the virus in Wirral's hospitals.

The recent increase in patient numbers has been stark. The figure of 70 is up from 58 last week, 39 the week before and just 15 on March 1.

But as yet this does not appear to be translating into more deaths. None have been recorded within 28 days of a positive test in Wirral since March 10.

Breaking cases down to a more local level, Upton is the most infected ward in Wirral, with Oxton recording the least cases in the most recent numbers we have, which go up to March 18.

Across the seven days, Upton recorded 170 cases, with Greasby, Frankby and Irby seeing 162 infections and Bebington recording 158.

Among the areas with the least cases in Wirral were Bidston and St James (107), West Kirby and Thurstaston (106) and Oxton (88).

Cases for every Wirral ward:

Upton 170

Greasby, Frankby and Irby 162

Bebington 158

Heswall 157

Wallasey 148

Hoylake and Meols 147

New Brighton 142

Clatterbridge 137

Seacombe 127

Rock Ferry 122

Eastham 121

Bromborough 119

Prenton 118

Pensby and Thingwall 118

Claughton 118

Leasowe and Moreton East 116

Birkenhead and Tranmere 112

Moreton West and Saughall Massie 111

Liscard 108

Bidston and St James 107

West Kirby and Thurstaston 106

Oxton 88