Following last week’s significant rise in coronavirus cases, local leaders in Carlisle are reminding residents to keep playing their part in the fight against COVID-19.
Last week, Carlisle saw a significant rise in new coronavirus cases compared to the previous week, up from 87 to 190 – a 118% increase. Carlisle currently has an infection rate slightly higher than the national average which is being monitored closely, with consideration being given to whether further action may be required to reduce infection spread.
Carlisle is currently in the government’s ‘Medium’ Local COVID Alert Level and local leaders, together with the help of the public, are hoping to prevent an escalation to a higher alert level.
Cllr Deborah Earl, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities, said: “While we wait to see this week’s case numbers we’re encouraging residents to do their bit to stop coronavirus spreading. Further spread is not only harmful, it could lead to increased measures from the government, something we don’t want and hopefully we can prevent together.
“We’re asking residents to continue to protect their communities and follow the guidance by reducing social contact and remembering the ‘rule of six’, washing hands and wearing face coverings if you can. If you get symptoms of coronavirus, self-isolate and only leave home to get tested.”
Carlisle City Cllr Elizabeth Mallinson, Portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing said: “We need to be vigilant and stick to the public health advice. We don’t want to see our city and district go into heightened restrictions. This would impact on our isolated residents, would result in less freedom of movement and could hit our economy hard. We urge local families to help protect our communities and minimise the risk of potential lockdowns. Acting now means we can prevent hospital admissions rising in the coming weeks.”
Jo Lappin, Chair of Cumbria’s Business and Economic Response and Recovery Group and the Chief Executive of the Cumbria LEP (CLEP): “Businesses have faced a really challenging 2020 with many only now getting back on their feet. That’s why it’s really important that we all do what we can to avoid further restrictions being placed on Carlisle. Our businesses have done massive amounts of work to make sure that they can operate in a COVID-Secure way and we can all support these efforts by following the guidance, as this will protect health, wealth, businesses and jobs. None of us want to see Carlisle moving to a higher tier as that could do real damage to the economy.”
Local COVID-19 situation reports can be found at www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread and this week’s update will be available on Friday. The latest government guidance and details of Local COVID Alert Levels are available from www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
