Cumbria has recorded its highest ever number of weekly coronavirus infections – 1,000 more than the previous record.
The county recorded a 130 per cent increase in new COVID-19 infections in the week ending December 24, up from 1,961 to 4,520. This is the highest ever recorded number of infections in the county, over 1,000 more than the previous high in January 2021.
All districts in the county saw significant increases, with cases in Barrow almost quadrupling. The overall infection rate in the county remained below regional and national averages, however.
Cases by district
- Allerdale – 785 (802 per 100,000)
+132% - Barrow-in-Furness – 953 (1,428 per 100,000)
+182% - Carlisle – 650 (599 per 100,000)
+96% - Copeland – 816 (1,199 per 100,000)
+164% - Eden – 336 (625 per 100,000)
+57% - South Lakeland – 980 (934 per 100,000)
+128%
Hospital admissions
A total of 72 people with coronavirus were being cared for in hospital across the county’s two NHS trusts in the week ending December 29, up from 51 the previous week.
Deaths
There were three deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate in the week ending December 10 – the latest data available.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said: “We’ve never seen cases this high, and irrespective of how severely people are being affected, the impact from people being unable to attend work, because of illness or self-isolation, is being felt across the county, not least in the NHS and social care. We are seeing serious staff shortages which are creating real problems for the delivery of care and treatment.
“I am concerned this is going to get worse unless further action is taken, and I would really urge people to take sensible steps to limit the risk of catching the virus or passing it on. We all know what we can do; avoid crowds, wear a mask, wash hands, ventilate indoor spaces, get tested if you have symptoms or before you meet with people, and of course, get vaccinated.”
