COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update 22nd January 2021
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 by visiting the official UK Government website for data and insights here. You can also explore the interactive map and view the situation in your local area by using the postcode look up system.
New infections drop, but hospitals treating more than ever
New COVID-19 infections dropped by 25% in week ending 15 January, down 868 to 2632.
By contrast the county’s hospitals are now treating more COVID-19 patients than ever before, with 379 people now receiving care. This reflects the delay between people becoming infected and then needing hospital treatment.
A further 53 people have sadly died, bringing the total to 886.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:
“We have hopefully passed the peak of infection in the community, but we may not yet have reached the peak of hospital admissions. We have never seen this number of seriously ill people in our hospitals before and it is putting an incredible strain on the NHS.
“There is absolutely no question that we remain in an extremely serious situation and it is vital that infection levels continue to drop. A 25% reduction sounds good, but last week was still the second highest ever for new infections.
“Lockdown is working, and I absolutely recognise the efforts people are making to stick to the rules. We just have to stick with it for a while longer. I know this is causing real difficulties for some and I’d like to remind people that support is available, whether it’s about food, money, housing or mental health, via the county’s COVID-19 support line.”
People can call the county council's Support Helpline on 0800 783 1966 (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4.30pm).
Overall, in Cumbria:
- For the 5th week in a row Carlisle had the greatest number of new cases (+924 new cases);
- Carlisle also had the highest rate of new cases for the 3rd week in a row (850 new cases per 100k population);
- Rates in Carlisle, Allerdale and Barrow-in-Furness were above the national average rate (England = 495 new cases per 100k population);
- Rates in Carlisle were also above were above the regional average rate (North West = 529 new cases per 100k population);
- New cases decreased from the previous week in all Cumbrian districts, with the smallest proportional decrease in South Lakeland (-11%) and the biggest proportional decrease in Eden (-39%);
- The impact on the county’s 152 care homes and nursing homes remains significant, with 49 homes currently managing outbreaks.
The full Cumbria COVID-19 situation report can be found at: www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread
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Testing for Covid-19 is now available to anybody in Cumbria at a range of locations.
All tests must be booked in advance.
You must go through the process to book an appointment – please do not turn up without a booked appointment https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test
You can also Call 119 if you have problems using the internet (line open 7am - 11pm)
NHS Trust staff should continue to access testing through their own organisation.
Prime Minister’s statement on travel corridors
The Prime Minister made a statement, on 15 January, where he confirmed all air travel corridors would be temporarily closed from 4am on 18 January to protect against the risk of unidentified new coronavirus strains.
This means that travellers to the UK must have proof of a negative coronavirus test that they have taken in the 72 hours before leaving, must have filled in a Passenger Locator Form and must quarantine for 10 days on arrival.
The Government has also announced that from 4am on 15 January 2021, passengers who have been in or transited through Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Panama, Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores), Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela in the last 10 days will no longer be granted access to the UK.
Keep up to date with guidance for British people travelling overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic below.
New Every Mind Matters campaign
A new survey, commissioned by Public Health England (PHE) at the start of the current government restrictions, reveals the impact coronavirus (COVID-19) has had on adults’ mental wellbeing across the country.
The research found that almost half (49%) felt that the pandemic has impacted negatively on their mental health and wellbeing (53% of women and 45% of men). Of those surveyed, significant proportions of the population said they had been experiencing more anxiety (46%), stress (44%), sleep problems (34%) and low mood (46%) over the course of the pandemic. The following were the most common reasons people thought the lockdown had negatively impacted their mental health:
- 56% missing friends and family; and loneliness 33%
- 53% uncertainty about the future; with financial and employment worries 27%
- 53% worried about family’s safety and health
However, at the same time 3 in 5 (60%) of those asked say they feel hopeful about the future. Many adults (75%) reported that they are planning to take or have taken steps to look after their mental wellbeing, with exercising regularly (32%) eating well (29%) and talking more to family and friends (28%) being the main actions.
To support people during this time, PHE has launched a nationwide Better Health - Every Mind Matters campaign to support people to take action to look after their mental health and wellbeing and help support others such as family and friends. The campaign encourages people to get a free NHS-approved Mind Plan from the Every Mind Matters website. By answering 5 simple questions, adults will get a personalised action plan with practical tips to help them deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better and feel more in control. Over 2.6 million Mind Plans have been created since it launched in October 2019.
The Every Mind Matters COVID-19 hub also includes practical tips and support on how adults can deal with uncertainty, how to cope with money and job worries and how to look after both their own and their family’s mental wellbeing while staying at home.
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If you live in the North of the county, keep up to date with the local vaccination program by clicking here
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If you live in the south of the county, keep up to date with the local vaccination program by clicking here
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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 sharing information and advice about the powers and orders that are available to help protect victims of domestic abuse.
Thank you to everyone who took part and asked questions.
Our next live surgery will be on Wednesday 27th January, over on our Facebook page. If you would like to join us between 2pm - 3pm, you can do so by visiting our Facebook page 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.
If you or anyone you know needs help or support, there are agencies who can help
In other news...
Over 100 motorists caught during drink and drug driving campaign
During the month-long winter drink and drug driving campaign officers caught over 100 motorists putting themselves and other people’s lives at risk while impaired through drink and drugs.
To read the full story click here.
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Aspatria man jailed for two years
An Aspatria man has been sentenced to two years for grievous bodily harm committed against his partner.
To read the full story click here.
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Man jailed for more than nine years in last Operation Horizon sentence
The final county lines criminal to be sentenced following a huge Cumbria Police drugs operation was today jailed for more than nine years.
To read the full story click here.
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Carlisle men given Covid-19 Fixed Penalty Notices and investigated for poaching offences
Five men were given Covid-19 Fixed Penalty Notices and are being investigated for poaching offences after being stopped by police in the North Stainmore area at the weekend.
To read the full story click here.
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Merseyside woman sentenced for her role in county lines drug dealing in Barrow-in Furness
41-year-old Toni Cross, from Merseyside, has been sentenced to four years for offences in Cumbria and Merseyside.
To read the full story click here.
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Tributes paid to man who died in A66 collision
Police have formally identified a man who died following a two-vehicle collision on the A66 near Baron’s Hill on January 14.
To read the full story click here.
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