Latest on coronavirus in Cumbria: New large vaccination centre opens and cases continue to fall

Allerdale Borough Council sent this bulletin at 25-03-2021 06:15 PM GMT

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Updates on the coronavirus situation in Allerdale - 25/3/2021

Caution urged as lockdown restrictions to ease

As the country prepares for easing of lockdown restrictions from next Monday, the number of new COVID-19 infections in Cumbria dropped to 114 in the week ending 19 March, a 17% reduction on the previous week. Overall Cumbria recorded 23 new cases per 100,000 population, compared to a national average of 55 per 100,000.

The overall figure does mask some changes at a district level, including a 61% increase in cases in Barrow. However, the actual number of new cases remains relatively low.

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 also continued to drop, although the south of the county did see a small increase in new admissions.

Data from the mass testing of secondary school students and staff continues to be reviewed, with a small number of school related outbreaks being very closely monitored and managed by Public Health teams.

The position in the county’s care homes is the most positive for some time, with only three homes currently experiencing outbreaks.

Key points for Cumbria are:

There were 114 new cases in Cumbria (a decrease of 24, -17%, from 138 cases in the previous week);
Barrow-in-Furness joined Allerdale in having the greatest numbers of new cases (both +29 new cases);
Barrow-in-Furness also replaced Allerdale in having the highest rate of new cases (43 new cases per 100k population);
Rates in all Cumbrian districts were below both the national and regional average rates (55 and 69 new cases per 100k population respectively);
New cases decreased from the previous week in Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland;
New cases increased in Barrow-in-Furness by 61%;
New cases also increased in Eden and South Lakeland (+22% and +19% respectively), however, it should be noted that numerically these increases were small and rates in Eden and South Lakeland remain below the county average;
The 25-34 age group accounted for the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria, followed by the 55-64 and 35-44 age groups;
The only age groups to experience increases in new cases from the previous week were the 25-34 and 55-64 age groups;
There were zero new cases seen in the 85+ age group.

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'Figures are encouraging'

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:

“This week’s figures are encouraging; our infection rate is continuing to drop and we are well below the national average. That said there are some things causing a degree of concern, in particular the much higher, and increasing, infection rates in some other north west local authorities and the small number of outbreaks we are seeing in schools.

“On Monday restrictions will ease somewhat, a little more social contact will be permitted, and that’s welcome. We all need to remember though that significant restrictions will remain in place including a ban on people from different households mixing indoors. It also remains vitally important to continue to follow the hands, face, space guidance to reduce the risk of infection spread.

"A further wave of infection is a real possibility and that would mean restrictions remaining in place for longer, something none of us want. So, I’d urge everyone to be cautious, don’t think this is over yet.”

New large vaccination centre opens

A large vaccination centre has opened at Penrith Auction Mart. The opening, on Thursday 25th March 2021, adds more capacity to help the NHS vaccinate people in our community.

Take-up of the vaccine has been strong; nine out of 10 people aged 65 and over have already had their first dose. In North Cumbria around 140,000 vaccinations have taken place. This has been mainly through eight primary care networks vaccinating from 9 hubs run by local GP practices, alongside hospitals hubs and community pharmacy.

Now a sixth large vaccination centre (LVC) for the region will open at Penrith, joining the North East and North Cumbria’s five Large Vaccination Centres.

The Penrith Vaccination site will be known as the Penrith Auction Mart Vaccination Centre Skirsgill Lane, Penrith CA11 0DN.

The Penrith Auction Mart was chosen with input from local partners. It has an open accessible location, with good parking and good connections to the A66 and M6.
The centre will operate 9am to 5pm, five days a week.

People who receive invitations from the National Booking Service run by NHS England can attend Large Vaccination Centres. People receive a letter and are invited to book either on-line or by calling 119 free of charge between 7am and 11pm – only people invited to book can do so. It will show appointments at the Penrith Auction Mart and community pharmacy, but not for primary care.

The Penrith Auction Mart Vaccination Centre will be run by clinical staff, people who have been trained to become vaccinators, administrative staff and supported by a range of volunteers who make sure the service operates as smoothly and safely as possible.

Lake District prepares for visitor return

The Lake District National Park Authority is preparing to safely welcome visitors back to enjoy all the health and wellbeing benefits the Lake District has to offer, which are now more important than ever.

The Authority is working with partners to ensure that visitors are offered the warm Lake District welcome they expect and that local communities are supported throughout the coming months.

The SaferLakes.co.uk website, launched last year, will go live again on 29 March to let people plan their day trip in advance by seeing what areas of the park are quietest. Visitor welcome volunteers will be on hand to offer advice on local walks and facilities in key areas throughout the park.

Although lockdown restrictions are being eased in England from Monday 29 March, overnight stays will not be permitted until 12 April, and only then in limited circumstances.

There are now more than 100 Safer Lakes volunteers patrolling the park every day, supporting the communities and working with police to report issues, and share information on which facilities are open, such as toilets and attractions.

Extra temporary car parks have been set up for 2021 in key areas where there was a shortage of parking in 2020.

The Authority is also recruiting a number of Welcome Volunteers to offer help and advice to visitors and are working with other National Parks and other agencies to refresh the Countryside Code so that visitors are as equipped as they can be, before they reach the park. For more information on volunteering opportunities visit Visitor Support Volunteer : Lake District National Park.

Reminder on business grants

Local businesses are being reminded of the grant schemes currently available to help them through the lockdown, as well as changes to the schemes from the beginning of April 2021.

As many of the current covid-19 business grant schemes come to a close for new applications at the end of March, eligible businesses who have yet to apply are encouraged to do so.

Businesses are encouraged to check which grant is available, their eligibility and what, if anything, they need to do to access the money. There is financial support available for particular restriction periods since 5 November 2020, and some of the grants are only available for specific business sectors.

To help businesses going forward, a new Restart Grants Scheme has been announced by the Government – the scheme will operate from 1 April 2021. The council awaits further details on how this scheme shall operate.