Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said there is no need to worry at present despite a surge in Covid-19 cases across the Liverpool City Region.
The Liverpool City Region's weekly covid infection rate has risen by three quarters, with some boroughs experiencing a weekly growth of more than 90%. According to the latest data from Public Health England, the LCR had 9,970 infections in the week ending March 13 - that's 4,290 more positive tests than the previous week.
The numbers have been raised by public health officials as a concern, with those yet to get their booster jab urged to do so immediately. Today the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid was on Merseyside, visiting St Helens Hospital to meet staff who have been delivering cancer services throughout the pandemic.
READ MORE: Weekly Covid infections jump by three quarters in Liverpool City Region
The ECHO asked Mr Javid whether people in the region should be concerned about the rapidly rising rates. He said there is no need to panic. Mr Javid said: "We keep the data under review on a daily basis and there is nothing in the data currently that gives us a cause for concern. That's not least because, while infection numbers have been rising in the last couple of weeks, they are still nationally and in this region below the Omicron peak.
"I keep an especially close eye on hospitalisation rates. Although the number of people in hospital who are covid-positive is rising, it is still below that peak. But we also know that almost 60% of those in hospital who are covid positive are not there because of covid. The NHS estimates that 60% of them are there for other reasons, other treatments - but they happen to be covid positive at the same time. So I think we need to look at these numbers in the round.
He added: "Of course the most important thing we can all do is to make sure we are vaccinated. It's great that 8 out of 10 adults have come forward for their booster jabs, it still means that 2 out of 10 haven't. Its never too late to come forward to protect yourself, your family and your community."
Mr Javid was hugely complimentary of the staff members he met in St Helens, who have continued to deliver vital cancer services despite the huge disruption of the pandemic. He said: "I have been looking at some of the fantastic work they have been doing here in St Helens on cancer services during the pandemic. It's incredibly impressive and the staff here could not have done more.
"They have managed to keep meeting and treating patients at an incredible rate and are one of the best cancer services in the country. The last two years will have easily been the most challenging period for anyone in the NHS and what I have seen from the staff in St Helens today has been quite incredible."
