Coronavirus cases rising rapidly across parts of Merseyside as UK infection numbers highest since June

 Infections reaching concerning levels in Wirral and Liverpool with increases elsewhere as well.

Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across parts of Merseyside as the UK's infection count reached levels last seen in June.

The latest data from Public Health England shows that there were 267 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the five boroughs of the region in the last week of August.

This is a sharp rise from the 175 cases recorded across the region in the 7 days before this.

Meanwhile, the UK as a whole recorded 1,735 positive test results, a level last seen in June before lockdown rules were eased.

In our region, Wirral continues to be the area of most concern.

There were 96 cases recorded on the peninsula in the last week of August - an increase of more than double the 45 infections recorded the week before.

Wirral Council has said that its rising infections stem from a number of specific outbreaks in the borough and said that women under 30 have been particularly affected.

A Public Health England map shows now how widespread cases of the virus are around the borough.

The worst affected areas include Bebington (8 cases), New Brighton (7 cases) and Birkenhead (7 cases).

Liverpool is also again experiencing concerning numbers of infections - having previously worked hard to get outbreaks under control.

The last week of August saw 90 new covid-19 infections in the city, a rise from the 78 cases recorded the week before.

The city's Director of Public Health has called on people to take great care to social distance and keep up hygiene measures - particularly with schools reopening.

While Wirral and Liverpool are the areas of Merseyside with the highest virus numbers, they are not the only areas of the region to experience a rise.