Latest from Colin Cox, Cumbria Director of Public Health
Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, Colin Cox, said: “Firstly, I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the incredible testing teams who’ve worked at these sites throughout the pandemic. Cumbria will forever be grateful for the work you’ve done to protect our communities.
“I’m sure for many the closure of testing sites will feel like the end of the pandemic, but that’s not the case, it’s just the next step in learning to live with COVID-19.
“The virus is still circulating, and testing will still be a part of everyday life moving forward – we’ll just access it differently than we have before.
“It’s important to note that some sites will close earlier than the 31 March, but when we have confirmed dates for each site, we’ll update the public and our website accordingly so please keep an eye out for updates.
“Although the testing sites are set to close, it could be some weeks and months yet before all of the equipment at individual sites is removed. We remain in discussions with the DHSC about when this might happen – but it’s a huge operation to clear everything away nationally, so please bear with them and us while sites are cleared.”
Latest statistics in Cumbria
Key Points for Cumbria and districts in 2022 Week 8 (ending Friday 25th February):
- There were 1,463 new cases in Cumbria (a decrease of 271, -16% from 1,734 new cases in the previous week);
- For the 7th week in a row, Carlisle had the greatest number of new cases (+335 new cases);
- For the 2nd week in a row, Copeland had the highest rate of new cases (329 new cases per 100k population);
- Rates in all districts except Copeland were below the national average rate (England 322 new cases per 100k population);
- Rates in all districts were above the regional average rate (North West 227 new cases per 100k population);
- Number of new cases decreased in all districts, with Allerdale and Copeland having the greatest decreases (-25% and -24%, respectively);
- For the 4th week in a row, the 30-39 age group had the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria (286 new cases);
- The 30-39 age group also had the highest rate of new cases in Cumbria (545 new cases per 100k population);
- New cases decreased from the previous week in all age groups except 80+, which remained the same;
- New cases in the under 50 age group accounted for 60% of total new cases (62% the previous week);
- Overall, new cases in the under 50 age group decreased by 19% while new cases in the 50+ age group decreased by 11%.
Health & Hospitalisations
Summary for week ending Tuesday 1st March:
- The number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status in North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) decreased by 1 from the previous week while the average number of patients with COVID-19 in beds in NCIC decreased by 11 from the previous week;
- The number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status in University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMB) increased by 1 from the previous week and the average number of patients with COVID-19 in beds in UHMB decreased by 50 from the previous week.
Mortality
- In the week to Friday 18th February 2022 there were 13 deaths with COVID-19 mentioned on death certificate.
Things we can all do to help everyone stay safe
By following safer behaviours you will reduce the risk of catching and passing on COVID-19. You can protect yourself and others by:
- “Catch it, Bin it, Kill it” and washing your hands.
- Getting your 1st, 2nd or booster vaccination.
- Opening the windows and letting fresh air in when meeting people indoors.
- Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, like shopping centres and public transport.
- Trying to stay at home if you feel unwell.
- Taking a test if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and avoiding other people if you test positive
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Testing and self-isolation guidance
You are no longer legally required to self isolate if you test positive for COVID-19 but it is strongly advised you do.
You may choose to take an LFD test from 5 days after your
symptoms started followed by another LFD test the next day.
If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, the risk that you are still infectious is much lower and you can safely return to your normal routine.
Staying at home if you test positive with COVID-19 is the best way to avoid spreading the virus and help protect others.
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Support for business
There is still time to apply for the financial support for businesses under the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure (OHL) Grant scheme.
The scheme is designed to support businesses that offer in-person services, where the main service and activity takes place in a fixed rate-paying premises, in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors.
There is up to £6k on offer for each business.
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