Highest number of weekly Covid-19 deaths in Cumbria
Latest data released on Thursday (January 28) shows that the week ending 15 January recording the highest weekly number of Covid-19 deaths the county has yet seen.
The tragic news comes as infection rates in the community continue to drop (according to the latest data from week ending January 22), but hospitals remain under intense pressure and new admissions continue to increase in the south of the county.
The county’s Director of Public Health, Colin Cox, is urging people not to become complacent as infection numbers fall. He said:
“Our biggest risk now is that we start to think this is all over, infections are falling, and we have the vaccination programme rolling out. These things are both true and good news. But we cannot let our guard down or we will once again see infections rocket.
“85 local people died from Covid-19 this week, our highest ever number. That is a tragedy and reflects the extremely high infection rate we’ve seen over the past six weeks. We really must not let ourselves slip back to that place. Please keep doing what you’re doing, stick to the lockdown rules and we can get infections down to a manageable level.”
The weekly Covid-19 situation report for Cumbria is available on the county council website. It shows:
- There were 1,913 new Covid-19 cases in Cumbria (a decrease of 724, -27%, from 2,637 cases in the previous week);
- In Allerdale, 372 new positive cases were recorded, down from 515 positive cases the previous week (-28%).
- 85 Covid-19 related deaths were registered (w/e January 15)
- For the 6th week in a row Carlisle had the greatest number of new cases (+591 new cases). Carlisle also had the highest rate of new cases for the 4th week in a row (544 new cases per 100k population);
- New cases decreased from the previous week in all Cumbrian districts, with the smallest proportional decrease in Barrow-in-Furness (-16%) and the biggest proportional decrease in Carlisle (-36%);
- The number of new patients admitted with Covid-19 Positive status in North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) decreased from the previous week (-28%);
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Work to start on affordable housing project
Work on a new scheme to provide affordable rented accommodation in the heart of Keswick for local people is about to get underway.
Our project in Otley Road will see a former retail unit converted into four one-bedroom apartments. Once complete, the scheme will bring the empty building back to life after sitting empty for many years having previously been a cycling shop and gas company offices.
The scheme has been developed after it was recognised by the council, following representations from businesses, that there is a shortfall of affordable accommodation in the town, in particular for local workers in the tourism industry.
Work is due to begin on Monday (February 1st) with the first people able to move into the units from autumn this year.
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WATCH: Latest on council meetings
This week saw the first meeting of the full council this year. Decisions were made on the council tax base, members' allowances and more. A recording of the meeting can be watched on our YouTube channel. The meeting's agenda and reports can be viewed here.
This coming week (w/c February 1) there is a meeting of the Audit Committee. The meeting will be held virtually but streamed live on YouTube. The agenda can be found on our website.
Self-isolation payments
If you are working, on a low-income and are required to self-isolate, you could be eligible for a £500 payment
Under the scheme, payments of £500 will be available for individuals who have received notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate.
The Test and Trace Support Payment is available to those receiving Universal Credit; Working Tax Credit; Income-Based Employment and Support Allowance; Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance; Income Support; Housing Benefit; and/or Pension Credit.
If you have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate, are working or self-employed and will lose income, you may be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment.
Anyone that meets the eligibility criteria and is told to self-isolate will be able to claim.
You can make a claim for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme or a discretionary payment up to 28 days after the first day of your period of self-isolation.
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