There were 2,632 new cases in Cumbria (a decrease of 868, -25%, from 3,500 cases in the previous week). For the 5th week in a row Carlisle had the greatest number of new cases (+924 new cases).
Carlisle also had the highest rate of new cases for the 3rd week in a row (850 new cases per 100k population).
Rates in Carlisle, Allerdale and Barrow-in-Furness were above the national average rate (England = 495 new cases per 100k population).
Rates in Carlisle were also above were above the regional average rate (North West = 529 new cases per 100k population).
New cases decreased from the previous week in all Cumbrian districts, with the smallest proportional decrease in South Lakeland (-11%) and the biggest proportional decrease in Eden (-39%).
The 45-54 age group accounted for the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria, followed closely by the 55-64, 35-44 and 25-34 age groups.
There were decreases in new cases in all age groups in Cumbria from the previous week, except the 75-84 age group.
The number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status in North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) increased (+17%).
However, the number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status in University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMB) decreased (-38%). The average number of patients with COVID-19 in beds increased in both NCIC and UHMB (+17 and +9% respectively).
There are still a number of incidents/positive cases across all education settings; incidents/positive cases have increased in secondary school age settings but have fallen slightly in other education settings.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:
“We have hopefully passed the peak of infection in the community, but we may not yet have reached the peak of hospital admissions. We have never seen this number of seriously ill people in our hospitals before and it is putting an incredible strain on the NHS.
“There is absolutely no question that we remain in an extremely serious situation and it is vital that infection levels continue to drop. A 25% reduction sounds good, but last week was still the second highest ever for new infections.
“Lockdown is working, and I absolutely recognise the efforts people are making to stick to the rules. We just have to stick with it for a while longer. I know this is causing real difficulties for some and I’d like to remind people that support is available, whether it’s about food, money, housing or mental health, via the county’s COVID-19 support line.”
