Covid-19: Sefton one of the fastest rising areas for infection rates in England

Sefton recorded one of the fastest rises of Covid-19 cases in England last week.

The borough, which includes Southport, Formby and Bootle, saw its rate of infections per 100,000 shoot up from 228.6 to 745.6 in just seven days.

Sefton was the seventh fastest area for the growth Coronavirus cases in the country in the seven days up to 2 January, one of four Liverpool City Region boroughs in the top 10.

Halton was top, Knowsley second and Wirral 8th.

Of the 315 local areas in England, 309 have seen a rise in infections.

The UK today saw a record rise in deaths since April with a total of 1,162 deaths in all settings.

It marks the second largest single-day increase in recorded deaths during the course of the pandemic, with only April 21 seeing a higher figure of 1,224 deaths.

Cases have risen by 52,618 as the country remains in a national lockdown.

10 areas with the biggest week-on-week rise in rates are:

1 Halton (up from 248.8 to 996.1)

2 Knowsley (235.3 to 929.3)

3 Isle of Wight (246.9 to 926.1)

4 Crawley (517.8 to 1,132.5)

5 Corby (229.9 to 779.6)

6 Carlisle (509.8 to 1,039.8)

7 Sefton (228.6 to 745.6)

8 Wirral (271.0 to 778.1)

9 Rushmoor (815.0 to 1,315.0)

10 Tendring (436.7 to 934.8)

Do you need to get a Covid-19 test in Sefton during the new national lockdown?

This is where you can find drive-through Mobile Testing Units this January.

These sites are for people with symptoms – a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell – and can be booked by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

Planned dates and sites may be subject to change if testing is required in other locations:

Friday 8 January – NO MOBILE TESTING
Saturday 9 January – Ainsdale
Sunday 10 January – Ainsdale
Monday 11 January – NO MOBILE TESTING
Tuesday 12 January – Litherland
Wednesday 13 January – Litherland
Thursday 14 January – Litherland
Friday 15 January – NO MOBILE TESTING
Saturday 16 January – Aintree Racecourse
Sunday 17 January – Aintree Racecourse
Monday 18 January – Southport
Tuesday 19 January – Ainsdale

In addition, local walk-through test centres are open every day from 8am to 8pm, providing easy access to COVID-19 tests for people who do not have access to a car and for those who have symptoms and should not travel by public transport.

The four local test centres are located at:

Bootle Town Hall, L20 7AA
Crosby Library Car Park, Haigh Road, L22 OLQ
Netherton Activity Centre, Glovers Land, L30 3TL
Southport Town Hall, PR8 1DA

Those with symptoms seeking tests, need to book ahead of going to either the walk-through or drive-through sites. It’s quick and easy to book by calling 119 or going online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

Testing for people not displaying any symptoms

Targeted, SMART COVID-19 testing for residents who DON’T have COVID-19 symptoms is now taking place at: