Wirral's COVID-19 cases have risen for the first time since early January in worrying news ahead of today's announcement on the roadmap out of lockdown.

On a day-by-day comparison, there were 371 cases at a rate of 115 per 100,000 in the week up to February 17.

The next day's figures, for the week up to February 18, showed a rise from 371 cases to 378 at the higher rate of 117 per 100,000.

It may only be a small increase, but it reflects a pattern emerging in Wirral's numbers over recent days.

After steady and consistent falls from January 8 until February 15, the last four days of figures show Wirral had 382 cases in the week up to February 15 and the same number the day after that, before the figures of 371 and 378 for February 17 and 18 were recorded as previously mentioned.

The rise between February 17 and 18 is the first daily rise since January 8, when Wirral recorded its highest ever number.

But this was a huge 3,201 cases at a rate of 988 per 100,000, showing that while recent figures are concerning the borough has made enormous progress in tackling the virus in a short space of time.

It should also be noted that on a week-by-week comparison Wirral's infection level is still falling.

The current figure of 378 cases is lower than the 476 infections registered in the previous week.

We will need to look at further figures over the next few days to see if recent numbers are just a blip or if the virus is beginning to grow in the borough once again.

Figures for hospital admissions are more positive, as the latest figure, which covers February 16, shows a weekly fall in Wirral's virus patient numbers from 135 to 65.

It follows several weeks of declining numbers from the peak of 279 recorded on January 22.

Later today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lay out his roadmap which will see restrictions eased gradually over a period of several months.

This morning, Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi confirmed that schools in England will reopen on March 8.

Mr Zahawi said that two people would also be able to meet up outdoors from this date.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the minister added that from March 29 the rules will be eased further to allow two families or people following the rule of six to meet up outdoors and some outdoor sports such as tennis and golf will also be permitted.