Latest update on Covid-19 in Allerdale including vaccination info, case numbers and more

County vaccination data published, as cases continue to fall 

As new COVID-19 cases in Cumbria in week ending 26 February fell 34% (556 to 368), data on the progress of the vaccination programme in the county have been published for the first time.

The new data shows that 37% of Cumbria’s adult population has now received their first dose of the vaccine, slightly above the average for England. Over 95% of those aged over 70 have received their first dose.

While new cases dropped significantly overall, infection rates in Allerdale and Copeland remained above the England average with Allerdale recording the greatest number of new cases for the second week in a row.

Hospitalisations continued to drop in week ending 2 March with the number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status decreasing in both North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMB) by -52% and -16% respectively.

The weekly COVID-19 situation report, including vaccination data, can be found at: www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread

Key points for Cumbria and districts include:

• There were 368 new cases in Cumbria (a decrease of 188, -34%, from 556 cases in the previous week);
• Allerdale had the greatest number of new cases for the 2nd week in a row (+106 new cases);
• Allerdale also replaced Barrow-in-Furness in having the highest rate of new cases (108 new cases per 100k population);
• Rates in Allerdale and Copeland were above the national average rate (England = 91 new cases per 100k population);
• However, rates in all Cumbrian districts were below the regional average rate (North West = 121 new cases per 100k population);
• New cases decreased from the previous week in all Cumbrian districts except Eden, where new cases increased by 1 case (+3%);
• The 55-64 age group accounted for the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria, followed closely by the 25-34, 45-54 and 35-44 age groups

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'Encouraged by progress'

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said: “I’m pleased we have been able to publish data about vaccination rates this week for the first time. It’s important that the public can see this information and it underlines that the vaccine roll-out is going incredibly well across the county. There has been a huge effort lead by the NHS and it really is no mean feat to have vaccinated over 150,000 people in the time we’ve had. “In combination with the continued drop in new cases I’m encouraged about the progress we are making. “But I’m very conscious that schools will welcome all pupils back next week and that is a major change. We’ll be watching the data very carefully to see what impact, if any, this has on infection rates. It remains really important that people stick to the COVID-19 restrictions and follow all the hygiene and physical distancing advice, it really does make a difference.”

100,000+ in Cumbria have vaccine

An update from the North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group:

More than a third of north Cumbria’s eligible population have been now had a vaccination for covid.

109,956 vaccinations have been given at hospital hubs and through our GP teams working together in Primary Care Networks.

The latest verified figures from NHS England published this week show:

• 70,326 over 65s have had their first vaccine
• 35,178 under 65s have had their first vaccine
• 2,314 over 65s have had their second vaccine
• 2,138 under 65s have had their second vaccine

This means 92.9% of the over 65 population in north Cumbria have had at least one dose of the vaccine.

The majority of vaccinations have been delivered through our Primary Care Networks – groups of GP Practices working together.

This has involved GPs, practice nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, healthcare assistants and admin teams working together along with volunteers from our communities to deliver the vaccine, safely, locally and quickly.

We are following the guidance outlined by the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI). 

We are working towards the national deadlines of all over 50s being offered their first vaccination by the middle of April and all adults by the end of July.

The vaccine supply is allocated nationally and sometimes our PCNs get more than expected – and sometimes less than they would like. All the vaccine supplied is delivered to patients as quickly as possible.

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Video for pupils returning to school

To help pupils prepare for the return to school next week the county council has made two videos available. The first features 12 year old Abi demonstrating a Lateral Flow test and what to expect, and the second features Director of Public Health Colin Cox addressing some of the key concerns and questions that pupils have about the return to school.

Both can be viewed on the county council's YouTube channel.

Lateral flow test centres in Allerdale

Lateral flow community testing is now available to the public.

Lateral Flow tests give a result in 30 minutes and help identify asymptomatic carriers - people who do have COVID-19 and are infectious but are not ill. These people can then self-isolate to protect others.

The testing sites are open to any essential workers who cannot work from home and come into regular contact with other people through their job, and who do not have symptoms.

The tests are free and no booking is required, but please note the sites are only open at the times stated. You don't need an appointment. More info on the community testing sites can be found here.

Testing sites in Allerdale:

• Aspatria: Beacon Hill School, Market Square, Aspatria, Wigton CA7 3EZ - Saturdays 09:15 - 12:30
• Workington: Workington Academy, Stainburn Rd, Workington, CA14 4EB - Mondays 17.15 – 19.30 and Thursdays 17.15 – 19.30

People who do have symptoms of coronavirus should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. They should not attend a Lateral Flow Community Testing Site.

Covid-19 business grants

We've recently updated our webpage detailing all the help currently available for businesses.

More details on all the financial help for businesses can be found by clicking the image-link below.