The medical director of Liverpool’s hospital trust has called for people to take action as numbers of coronavirus patients have risen above levels at the peak of the first wave.

Dr Tristan Cope, from the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said he was “deeply concerned” about the increasing numbers.

On Wednesday the trust, which includes the Royal, Broadgreen and Aintree hospitals in the city, had 408 inpatients with Covid-19, compared to 390 at the peak of the pandemic on April 12.

Dr Cope said: “We remain deeply concerned about the rising rates of infection in Liverpool, as this leads to increasing numbers of patients admitted to our hospitals, many of whom we are treating in intensive care due to the serious nature of this disease for which there is still no cure or vaccine.

“While treatments have improved and there are better chances of survival, the number of people dying is rising every day.

“Our hospitals are continuing to provide care for non-Covid patients and it is vital that that everyone takes action now to prevent more people getting sick from this virus, adhering to local restrictions, and following national guidance at all times, washing hands, wearing a face covering and making space by maintaining social distance.”

Last week the city region became the first area of the country to be made subject to Tier 3 restrictions, which include the closure of bars and pubs which are not serving food.

The area has seen some of the highest infection rates in the country in recent weeks, although rates are dropping.

Figures for the seven days up until October 18 showed a rate of 582.5 cases per 100,000 people, down from 681.1 in the previous week.

Chief nurse of the hospitals trust Dianne Brown wrote on Twitter: “As Covid rates @LivHospitals exceed the number back in April, need to recognise the impact this is having on our staff.

“Thank you to each and everyone of you, it is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting – you are doing an amazing job.”