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All of Merseyside added to Government's coronavirus watchlist after spike in cases

A man wearing a face mask walks by a social distance sign in Liverpool: REUTERS
A man wearing a face mask walks by a social distance sign in Liverpool: REUTERS

Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens have all been placed on the central government's watchlist as coronavirus cases surge in the area.

The leader of Sefton Council Ian Maher announced on Friday that the entire Merseyside area had been added to the Government watch list.

Meanwhile, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson warned that local lockdowns could be enforced if new infection numbers continue to rise.

He wrote on Twitter on Friday: “Over the past week we have seen a rapid increase in coronavirus cases across the Liverpool City Region.

Watch: Yahoo UK’s Health Editor, Alexander Thompson explain how coronavirus is treated

“We are not yet at the stage of having extra restrictions imposed on us – as other areas have – but if we continue on our current trajectory, it will become a case of when, not if this happens.”

He added: “There is still time to stop that happening – but doing so depends on us and what we choose to do.”

In the last week we've seen a rapid increase in cases across the region that has led to us being added to the Government's watch list.

There is still time for us to prevent a local lockdown, but we can't do it without your help.

Please do all you can to keep each other safe. pic.twitter.com/sBdRKS2r9S

— Steve Rotheram (@MetroMayorSteve) September 11, 2020

Mr Maher said: “In the light of this news, it’s essential that every single one of Sefton’s residents and businesses continue the great efforts they have made already to prevent us going into lockdown.

“The willingness and efforts of local people and the vast majority of the borough’s businesses to follow the guidelines and implement the measures required have been impressive and were reflected in low numbers of cases recently. However, this current rise is a cause for concern.

“Infections in Sefton are spread across the borough through people’s familiar social networks, whether at home, at work or out and about and while we are seeing cases being reported in people of all ages, those in the working age group from 20-60 are prevalent.

“Those people may be only mildly affected by Covid-19 and some are asymptomatic, but our real concern is how these people can still spread the infection, including to their loved ones at home who may be vulnerable and far more seriously affected.

“It’s vital that local people continue with social distancing and follow the Government’s recently revised guidelines restricting indoor meetings to members of two different households and keeping numbers at outdoor gatherings to a maximum of six. Wearing masks and face coverings where required and frequent, thorough hand-washing are also crucial.”

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