The latest figures show that new COVID-19 cases remained low in Cumbria.
The data for the week ending May 28 recorded 40 new cases, up from 39 cases in the previous seven-day period.
“Thankfully, COVID infections in Cumbria remain very low, which is fantastic. However, there’s still more than a week to go before the government decides whether to ease lockdown further,” said Cumbria’s director of public health, Colin Cox.
“If we want to see restrictions relaxed on June 21, we must keep case rates low by continuing to follow national guidance, accepting our vaccines when they’re offered to us and simply remaining cautious.
“We have seen other parts of the North West experiencing increased cases of the Delta variant (formally known as the ‘Indian variant’). There are still many unknowns about this variant in terms of how it spreads and how effective our vaccines are, so it really is important that we don’t let it get a foothold in the county.”
Whatever your plans this half term, the advice from Cumbria’s Public Health team is:
- Meet outside. It is safer as fresh air blows the COVID-19 particles away. If you do meet inside, open the windows where possible to let in fresh air.
- Take the vaccine when you are offered it. Vaccines significantly reduce the chances of catching COVID-19 and passing it on and of severe illness. Consider whether you and your loved ones are vaccinated and whether there has been time for the vaccine to take effect before being in close contact.
- Remember that some people are more vulnerable than others. The risks from COVID-19 and therefore of close contact are greater for some people. For example, you might choose not to have close contact with an elderly relative at this point, particularly if one or both of you are not vaccinated.
- Minimise how many people you’re in close contact with, and for how long. The more people you are in close contact with the higher the chances of you catching or passing on COVID-19. Longer periods of close contact increase the risk of transmission but remember that even brief contact can spread COVID-19.
- Take a symptom-free COVID-19 lateral flow test twice a week as a precaution, and if you do test positive book a NHS (PCR) test to confirm it. If you do have symptoms, however mild, self-isolate and book an NHS (PCR) test immediately.
- Continue to wash your hands regularly.
- Make space for other people to maintain social distance if they want to.
- You must self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19 (however mild) or test positive, and do not meet up with others during this time. This is essential to stop any transmission. If people don’t self-isolate, we will continue to see outbreaks in settings and in communities.
