Covid-19 update in Allerdale: Highest number of weekly deaths in Cumbria, latest vaccine info, self-isolation payments and more

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 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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'Don't become complacent'

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.” Colin Cox will be hosting his fourth live Q&A session on the county council's Facebook page (facebook.com/cumbriacc) from 7pm next Wednesday (3 February).

Find out more about the vaccine roll-out in Cumbria

Help is Here: Welfare information

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected people in lots of ways, and whilst Cumbrian communities have been fantastic at supporting each other, many people are finding they need a bit of extra help and support.

The Cumbria County Council website is full of information about the support available to people in Cumbria, online and on the phone.

Don't wait for problems to get worse, there are organisations that can help, and it's better to get advice sooner rather than later.

If you need urgent help... Cumbria County Council can provide emergency support, including basic food and essential items, or if you are struggling to cope with your current situation for whatever reason.

Call the county council's support helpline on 0800 783 1966 (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4.30pm). Their supportive staff will talk to you and suggest ways to help.

You can also email COVID19support@cumbria.gov.uk and you will receive a response within one working day.

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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.

Learn more