COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update 20th November 2020
Government guidance
Restrictions are under regular review by the government. Please find below some useful links to help you and your family stay safe:
Please keep up to date with the COVID-19 restrictions in your area by using the government postcode look up system here.
COVID-19: Cases stabilising, but hospital increase continues
Across Cumbria data is beginning to indicate that in most parts of the county the infection rate is beginning to stabilise, with all areas now below the England average.
However, concerns remain particularly for South Lakeland and Barrow which both saw significant increases in new cases, up 42% and 32% respectively. Both areas continue to be monitored closely.
All Cumbrian districts now have infection rates of between 188 and 224 per 100,000 population. The England average is 274 per 100,000 population.
The number of people in hospital as a result of COVID-19 also continued to increase, with 93 people in north Cumbria and 161 in the Morecambe Bay NHS Trust areas (17 November), up from 64 and 158 respectively last week. However, there are early indications that the number of new hospital admissions each day is dropping in the south of the county.
A further 25 people have died in the last seven days.
The latest COVID-19 situation report can be found at www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:
“Nationally it remains to be seen whether this latest lockdown is going to be effective in driving down infection rates, and the signs at the moment are not hugely encouraging. Locally in Cumbria the picture is a little more positive, and it is pleasing to see most areas starting to level off - we are no longer seeing the alarming rates of increase of just a few weeks ago.
“But it’s very clear that our hospitals, particularly in the north of the county now, are under intense pressure as a result of increasing admissions for COVID-19 and that it is not sustainable for them to operate like this.
|
Changes to travel
Keep up to date with guidance for British people travelling overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic below.
Public Consultation Survey
A survey is now open for the public to express their views on policing in Cumbria.
The results of the survey, which is a joint initiative between the Constabulary and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), will help inform how policing is conducted in the future.
The survey, which should take only a few minutes to complete, provides you the opportunity to feedback on the following areas:
Your views on local policing
🔵 How confident you are in Cumbria Constabulary
🔵Concerns about crime in your local community
🔵The constabularies response to the coronavirus
The survey will run for four weeks and you can access it by clicking here.
Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “We are privileged to serve in an area which is one of the safest places in the country to live, work and visit.
“This year we have all been affected by the challenge of a global health pandemic, our officers and staff alongside partners have worked closely together following the government’s guidance and regulations to keep the people of Cumbria safe.
“It is essential that we do not become complacent and therefore we want to hear from you, our communities, on your thoughts about how we police and your views on our handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Your responses will help us shape how policing in Cumbria will look over the next few years and beyond.
“I’d encourage anyone to set aside the short amount of time it takes to complete this survey and help us keep people safe in our county.”
Peter McCall, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner comments: “I would like to encourage people to take a few moments to complete this survey and let me know your thoughts and suggestions about policing in Cumbria.
“During these difficult times, it’s important for me to hear from the public about things they think Cumbria Constabulary do really well, but also about things they think the police could do better. We appreciate all types of feedback and even though sometimes it is tempting in surveys of this nature to simply highlight complaints, it is also really helpful to hear constructive ideas about how the police might work more effectively with our communities. We are especially keen to hear your ideas about how we, as members of the public, can interact and work better to support local policing.
“We are generally very well served by Cumbria Police but, we are always looking for ways to improve on what I already believe to be an effective and efficient service. It’s only by hearing your views and working together, that we can accurately respond and make a real difference during the current Coronavirus pandemic and beyond.”
To view more click here.
|
 |
Cumbria County Council can provide urgent help and emergency support, including basic food and essential items, 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 9.00am to 5.00pm, Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm). Our supportive staff will talk to you and suggest ways to help.
Please click here to view the booklet which gives you information about support available to people in Cumbria, online and on the phone.
Cumbria Police launch walk-through video to support victims of rape and serious sexual offences
Cumbria Constabulary have launched a video to support victims of rape and serious sexual offences who may need to access the Bridgeway; the local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).
The launch is part of a month-long campaign to raise awareness of rape and serious sexual offences and the support services available to victims across the county.
The Bridgeway (SARC) is for people who have been victims of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse across Cumbria.
These services include the forensic medical service at the SARC, access to Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) support and therapeutic services which are provided by The Birchall Trust in Barrow and South Lakeland areas, and by Safety Net in the Allerdale, Copeland, Carlisle and Eden areas.
The video shows a step-by-step walk-through for victims of rape and serious sexual offences, to help them understand the process before they attend the SARC. The video was created jointly, by the Constabulary and Bridgeway staff, to offer assurance, provide helpful information and to build familiarity, for victims at an already traumatic and sometimes confusing time.
The Bridgeway (SARC) is a place a victim can attend by self-referring or after reporting a crime to the police. Attendance is completely voluntary. Whilst at the SARC professionals will provide the service user with the opportunity to, document any physical evidence such as cuts and bruises, undertake a forensic examination and access further, vital support services.
To view the full story click here.
Domestic Abuse live surgeries
This week we have once again been joined by partner agencies in answering any questions that you may have relating to domestic abuse, via our Facebook and Instagram pages during our live surgeries.
This week we have focused on stalking amongst young people (13-24).
Thank you to everyone who took part in the event, asking questions and voting on our polls.
Our next live surgery will be on Wednesday 25th November, over on our Facebook page. If you would like to join us between 3pm - 4pm, you can do so by clicking here.
Whether you are a victim of abuse or are worried about a family member, friend, colleague or neighbour, we are here to help.
In an emergency, always call 999.
Cumbria's Emergency Services support National Road Safety Week 2020
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Cumbria Police are supporting National Road Safety Week (16-22 November) alongside other emergency services throughout the country.
The week aims to raise the profile of the work undertaken by the emergency services: Fire, Police and Ambulance (and partner agencies such as Highways England), as well as reminding motorists to drive safely and ensure their vehicles are road worthy.
Craig Drinkald, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service’s Head of Prevention, said:
“Road traffic collisions can be devastating to attend for all the emergency services personnel. Lives are still being destroyed by the failure of drivers to be responsible behind the wheel before and during their travels.
“All the members of the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership (CRSP) work tirelessly to reduce the number of people tragically killed or seriously injured in the county by identifying the causes and types of accidents that happen, and through the delivery of road safety education throughout the year to different age groups and levels of driver experience.
“Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service delivers Road Awareness Training to 17 to 24-year olds as they are at the highest risk of having or being involved in an accident. Due to Covid-19 this year, we’ve adapted our programme and we’re now delivering the training virtually. We feel that education really is working, but we all agree there is much more collaborative work that can be done to reduce the number of incidents even further.”
Inspector Steve Minnikin of Cumbria Police said:
“It is ourselves and the other emergency services who are often the first on the scene to serious and fatal road traffic collisions and the results can be devastating.
“So often such collisions are entirely avoidable and are often down to driver error such as driving too fast for the road conditions or over-taking at inappropriate times.
“Dark nights and poor winter weather mean this time of year can be the most dangerous. I would urge all drivers to drive with care to make sure they do not cause a collision over the festive period.”
The following factors are found to be the most common following accident investigations:
- Speed - driving too fast for the road conditions or over the road speed limit.
- Distraction - use of mobile phones whilst driving.
- Impairment - under the influence of drink and/or drugs.
- Tiredness - unfit to drive.
- Peer pressure - showing off inexperienced driving skills.
- No seatbelts - it is compulsory to wear belts for drivers and passengers; they save lives.
- Mechanical failure - vehicle not road worthy.
Some simple steps regularly undertaken by drivers could help to save lives and serious injuries on our roads - not only to drivers and their passengers, but to other road users such as motorcyclists, scooters, cyclists and pedestrians.
Car maintenance is a simple first step.
- When was the last time you checked your tyres for legal tread depth?
- When was the last time you filled your screen wash to clear the windscreen to maximise vision?
- Have your brakes been checked recently?
- Do all your vehicle lights work correctly?
Don’t just wait for an annual MOT to tell you!
CFRS will be promoting a campaign across social media platforms and will continue to deliver road safety awareness training in schools and colleges to target young and new drivers, or those about to start learning to drive. This will be done virtually for the time being until new guidance permits.
We can all play a part in saving lives and injuries on the roads by remembering ‘Speed Down Saves Lives.'
Cumbria Road Safety Partnership includes Highways England, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Cumbria Police, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Safety Camera Unit and Institute of Advanced Motorists.
For more details about the Partnership, visit www.crsp.co.uk/CRSP
In other news...
West Cumbrian man given criminal behaviour order
Officers in West Cumbria have taken action to stop a west Cumbrian man’s antisocial and criminal behaviour.
To view the full story click here.
Arrest made following Moor Row incident
Detectives investigating an incident in Moor Row, west Cumbria have made an arrest.
To view the full story click here.
|
Second man charged following Workington Robbery
A man has been charged following a robbery at McColls on Harrington Road, Workington at around 8am on the 4th November.
To view the full story click here.
Thinking of joining us?
If you've been inspired by the amazing work our emergency services and key workers have been doing over the past few months during Covid-19, we have the opportunity for you to make a difference!
We are currently recruiting for the following roles
Help us spread our message
Share & Retweet
We’re very grateful to all those who have volunteered with us and our partners to help keep our communities safe during Covid-19
|
