Merseyside has today been placed on the Government’s Coronavirus Watch List as Southport MP Damien Moore urges people locally to do all they can to halt the spread of the virus.

Our region has now come under the Government’s spotlight as an area of concern following recent rises in cases in Sefton, Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley and St Helens.

Liverpool and Wirral are the worst hit areas locally, both with Coronavirus cases above 50 per 100,000.

Sefton is the least affected in Merseyside, although cases have nearly doubled in a week from 16.6 per 100,000 (46 cases) to 32.2 (89 cases).

Southport MP Damien Moore said: “Being placed on the ‘Watch List’ means that the Government is closely monitoring the situation in our area regarding infection rates.

“They could impose a local lockdown on our area if cases continue to rise.

“That is something we all want to avoid if we can. So I would today ask every person, every family, every business in Southport and across Merseyside to continue with the excellent work you have been doing to keep yourselves and others safe and to stop transmission of this virus.

“Please continue to wash your hands often, and well; please maintain social distance from others; please wear a face mask or a face covering when using public transport or in shops or supermarkets.

“If you develop symptoms, please self-isolate immediately and please get a test.”

After being placed on the Coronavirus Watch List, council leaders in the region will now have to report back to the Government on measures being taken to avoid a local lockdown in our region.

Merseyside’s boroughs have now all been classed as ‘areas of concern’. This could be escalated to ‘areas of enhanced support’ and then ‘intervention’ as has happened in places such as Leicester and Bolton recently.

Damien Moore said: “It is up to all of us to do all we can to prevent Covid-19 cases from rising, and to prevent more patients being admitted to Southport Hospital.

“It is vital that local people continue with social distancing and follow Government guidelines which, from Monday, will restrict indoor meetings to members of two different households and keep numbers at outdoor gatherings to a maximum of six.

“I would urge all our local businesses to ensure that they have all of the required measures in place, including Test and Trace arrangements for pubs, bars and restaurants, distancing and cleaning procedures and face coverings where required.

“I would ask anyone who develops the Coronavirus symptoms of a high temperature, or a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste, to please seek a test immediately. Please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 to make an appointment. Home testing kits are also available on request.

“If anyone is contacted by the Test and Trace programme then you must comply with the requests of the contact tracers and stay home if you are asked to do so.

“Thank you to everyone for your continued efforts to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

“With the recent rise in cases, your efforts are needed more now than ever.

“We must do all we can to stop the transmission of this virus and avoid local lockdown measures from being introduced here.”