ST HELENS and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was caring for seven coronavirus patients in hospital as of last week, official figures show.
NHS England data shows the number of people being treated in hospital for Covid-19 by 8am on April 13 was down from 19 on the same day the previous week, underlining the improve picture.
The number of beds across Whiston, St Helens and Newton Hospitals occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 decreased by 83 per cent in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 41.
The figures also show that four new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the week to April 11. This was down from 11 in the previous seven days.
Meanwhile, three new coronavirus death were recorded at St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals Trust over a weekly period.
Since the start of the outbreak in March 2020, NHS England figures show 711 people had died at the Trust, which covers Whiston, St Helens and Newton hospitals, as of 5pm on Thursday (April 15).
Community infection rate
The rate of infection in St Helens is far lower than it was at the start of the year. Latest figures show there were 23.8 cases per 100,000 after 43 people tested positive in the week to April 12. A week earlier the rate was 23.3 after 42 cases in seven days.
Rates had soared to 870 per 100,000 a few month ago.
Public health leaders continue to spread a message of caution, urging residents across St Helens to remain vigilant and act within the guidance.
These figures do not give an indication of the impact of the latest lockdown easing as they are dated to the period when restrictions were relaxed.
Signs supporting the NHS on the route to Whiston Hospital
What about vaccines?
Two-thirds of people in St Helens have received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.
Meanwhile, the NHS data shows 99,884 people who live in St Helens had received a vaccine jab by April 11 – 68 per cent of those aged 16 and over, according to the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.
The Covid vaccination rollout continues
Of those vaccinated, 71,630 were aged 50 and over – 97 per cent of the age group.
It means 28,254 people aged between 16 to 49 have received a first dose of the vaccine.
The data also reveals variation in coverage between different areas across St Helens.
The proportion of residents prioritised for vaccinations, such as those aged 50 and over, is one factor that could affect vaccine coverage.
Areas with the highest coverage:
1) Eccleston, with 79.1per cent of people aged 16 and over given their first dose
2) Rainford, 78.3 per cent
3) Billinge, 76.9 per cent
Areas with the lowest coverage:
1) Town Centre East & Fingerpost, 58.9 per cent
2) Derbyshire Hill, 59.4 per cent
3) Newton-le-Willows, 60.3 per cent
Across England, 26.9 million people had received their first dose of a vaccine by April 11, covering 59 per cent of the population aged 16 and over.
That includes 20 million people aged 50 and over – 95 per cent of the age group.
The figures also show that 6.4 million people have had a second dose of the jab – 14 per cent of people over 16.
A small number of people are not included due to their age being unknown.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here