COVID infection rates have more than doubled over the course of a week in St Helens, according to official figures.

However, hospital admissions of patients with Covid remain low and the vaccine rollout locally continues to be moving ahead strongly.

Senior doctors and health officials are now monitoring the situation closely to see whether the cases translate into further hospital cases.

Public health leaders warned earlier this week that the rates of infection among younger people and teenagers were climbing and that the Delta variant (originally described as the Indian variant) is becoming the dominant infection.

What does the latest infection data show?

Latest figures show the Covid-19 rate has doubled in St Helens, with 75 cases in the most recent weekly figures. That's up on 36 from the week before.

St Helens' case rate is 41.5 per 100,000 up from 19.9 per 100,000.

The rate is low compared to other areas of the north west, including parts of Greater Manchester and Lancashire which are seeing large numbers of cases, however, the doubling of the rate is causing concern.

If the trend continues the number of cases will soon sky rocket.

Public health chiefs are concerned the growth is being driven by the spread of the Delta variant, which was originally know as the Indian variant.

At the start of May the rate was 10 per 100,000.

What is the situation in hospitals

Admissions at hospitals locally are low, with latest figures showing there were three new Covid patients admitted to hospital in St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in the week to May 30.

It is understood that figures was down to two earlier this week.

Hospital bosses are monitoring the situation closely as previous waves have seen a lag between a rise in infections and hospital admissions.

The hope is the number of people vaccinated will help to control the number of hospital admissions.

The situation in hospitals is expected to be a key consideration when the Government look at whether to push ahead with the next step in easing lockdown on June 21.

Vaccinations

Over-25s in St Helens are being urged to book their Covid-19 vaccination at Saints' stadium.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced this week that people aged 25 to 29 will be invited to book their jab as he signalled the start of the final stage of the vaccination programme.

Under-30s are the final cohort on the vaccine priority list and NHS bosses are urging those in the eligible age groups to book appointments. Over the remainder of this week the NHS will send texts to people reminding them to book an appointment.

St Helens rugby league stadium is the regional mass vaccination centre for Cheshire/Merseyside and is being operated by the NHS locally.

Over 25s can book into Saints by calling 119 or going to the appointment website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

The Mass Vaccination Centre is open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm, and there are appointments available.

What does the vaccine data show?

More than half of people in St Helens have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, figures reveal.

NHS data shows 84,245 people had received both jabs by May 30 – 57 per cent of those aged 16 and over, based on the latest population estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

Of those to have received both jabs, 78,929 were aged 30 and over – 66 per cent of the age group.

It means 5,316 people aged between 16 to 29 have received both doses.

Across St Helens, 78% of those aged 16 and over have had one jab.

Areas with the highest coverage:

1) Rainford, with 88.1% of people aged 16 and over given their first dose

2) Eccleston, 86.7%

3) Billinge, 86.4%

Areas with the lowest coverage:

1) Derbyshire Hill, 68.2%

2) Town Centre East and Fingerpost, 68.4%

3) Town Centre West, 69.4%