Cumbria passes 1000 deaths, as new infections fall

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics confirm that over 1000 Cumbrians have now died of COVID-19. The sobering news comes as new infections continue to fall but hospitals remain under intense pressure.

ONS data shows 1066 deaths* up to week ending 22 January, with a new high of 95 COVID-19 deaths during that week. As a result of current lockdown restrictions, new infections continued to fall in the week ending 29 January, but over 1300 people in the county tested positive in that week

All Cumbria’s hospitals continue to treat unprecedented numbers of patients with COVID-19, with high numbers seriously ill or requiring intensive care.

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

“We’ve known we would pass 1000 deaths though seeing it in the official figures is stark and my thoughts are with everyone who has lost a loved one.

“While the fall in new infections is very welcome, infection rates are still high and the position in our hospitals remains extremely serious, with numbers continuing to grow in the south of the county. It’s not just that people are being hospitalised, it’s that more of them are very seriously ill and staying in hospital for long periods. That puts a huge strain on hospital services and hospital staff. They are coping, just, but it’s not sustainable.

“I understand how tired people are of lockdown, I am too. With where we are now it is still too soon to ease up. I encourage everyone to stick with it, keep making those tough decisions to put off meeting friends and family for a while longer. We have to get infections rates right down to avoid yet another resurgence.”

The weekly COVID-19 situation report can be found at www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread. It shows that for week ending 29 January:

• There were 1,321 new cases in Cumbria (a decrease of 599, -31%, from 1,920 cases in the previous week); 
• For the 7thweek in a row Carlisle had the greatest number of new cases (+380 new cases); 
• Carlisle also had the highest rate of new cases for the 5thweek in a row (350 new cases per 100k population); 
• Rates in Carlisle, Allerdale and Barrow-in-Furness were above the national average rate (England = 268 new cases per 100k population); 
• Rates in Carlisle and Allerdale were also above the regional average rate (North West = 299 new cases per 100k population); 
• New cases decreased from the previous week in all Cumbrian districts, with the smallest proportional decrease in Allerdale (-17%) and the biggest proportional decrease in Copeland (-43%). 
• New hospital admissions for people with COVID-19 fell in the north of the county but increased in the south.

*A COVID-19 death is any that occurs within 28 days of a positive test for COVID-19.

From 15 February anyone travelling to the UK from a country on the UK’s travel ban list will be required to quarantine in a government-approved facility for 10 days.

• Managed Quarantine Facilities to come into effect from 15 February
• Discussions with transport and hospitality industry already underway and commercial specification issued to hotels
• Health Secretary to oversee implementation and to chair new Cabinet sub-committee, working closely with former Vice Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Gordon Messenger, on government rollout
• Discussions with Australia and New Zealand have taken place to share expertise on quarantining

To read the full release click here

Wanted: Have you seen this man?

Officers are requesting the public’s help in locating a man wanted for a breach of bail, common assault, public order and the aggravated theft of a motor vehicle.

Robbie Archer, aged 21, was last seen in the Barrow area on 2nd January. Robbie has links to Barrow but could have travelled to any location.

To view the full release click here

Carlisle man jailed of four years for drug supply

A Carlisle man has been sentenced to four years for drug supply offences.

To view the full release click here

Man jailed for nearly four years for string of sex offences

A man subject to an order to protect the public has been jailed for nearly four years - after officers monitoring him caught him out when he committed a string of offences.

To view the full release click here