ST HELENS has seen 61 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in the latest daily figures as the rise in the coronavirus infection rate continues.

Public Health England figures show that another 61 people confirmed as testing positive for COVID-19 by 9am on Wednesday (September 16) in St Helens.

The figure is more than twice Tuesday's figure of 30, although daily figure totals can be revised at a later date.

These latest figures have yet to be included in the borough's weekly rate of new infections.

Cases have risen over recent days at a rapid pace and last Friday, Merseyside was placed on the national watch list after being identified as “an area of concern” by the Government.

It is understood ministers are due to meet to discuss the growing problem in the region and will consider what further measures could be put in place.

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Figures from St Helens’ public health team sent to councillors on Wednesday showed that, between September 6 and 12, there had been 201 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

This pushed the St Helens rolling seven-day infection rate beyond the 100 mark, to a rate of 111.6 per 100,000 population.

According to this data, Newton ward now has the most number of cases (43) in the borough, equating to an infection rate of 344.9 per 100,000.

Earlestown saw 41 new cases during this period, giving an infection rate of 351.8.

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The number of new infections has seen a significant jump in Thatto Heath – compared with the data given to councillors yesterday showing cases between September 5 and 10 – rising from 12 to 20.

St Helens is not alone in dealing with a rapid rise in cases, with Knowsley and Liverpool both seeing similar infection rates.

The more recent days' figures have yet to be included in a seven-day rolling new infection rate.

Given the rising rates in Merseyside, further restrictions appear to be on the cards, and a senior council source confirmed an announcement is expected this week.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 3,991 in Wednesday's figure, taking confirmed cases nationally since the start of the pandemic to 378,219.

The health body is now including Pillar two tests – those carried out in the wider community commercial partners – alongside Pillar one tests, which are analysed in NHS Hospitals or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

The latest figures mean there have been 1,756 people now confirmed as testing positive in the borough since the start of the pandemic.

This is a rate of 873 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the England average of 580.