New COVID-19 cases drop by half in Cumbria

The number of new COVID-19 infections in the county decreased by 50% in week ending 5 March (186 new cases), the largest single week drop since the peak of infections earlier in the year.

The overall infection rate dropped to 37 per 100,000, compared to an England average of 61 per 100,000. Infection rates are now around levels last seen in September.

The number of COVID-19 related deaths registered has also dropped by over 50%, to 31 (up to week ending 26 February).

The number of tests conducted weekly continued to grow, up to 40,454, as Lateral Flow Testing becomes more widespread via schools and employers.

173,000 people have now received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 41% of the eligible population in Cumbria.

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

“These figures are really encouraging and show how effective the lockdown restrictions have been in driving down infections. We’re now at levels last seen in early autumn. The big change this week is pupils returning to school and we will be watching the data closely to see what impact this has.

“At the moment we’re on track in terms of the Government’s roadmap, but looking back to last year we know how quickly the situation could change if we do not stay on our guard and keep doing all the basic things - hands, face, space - to reduce spread. The big message is keep going, stick to the rules and we’ll get through this soon.”

The weekly COVID-19 situation report is available at: www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread

Key points include:

There were 186 new cases in Cumbria (a decrease of 184, -50%, from 370 cases in the previous week);
Allerdale had the greatest number of new cases for the 3rd week in a row (+48 new cases);
Copeland replaced Allerdale in having the highest rate of new cases (63 new cases per 100k population);
Rates in Copeland were above the national average rate (England = 61 new cases per 100k population);
However, rates in all Cumbrian districts were below the regional average rate (North West = 75 new cases per 100k population);
New cases decreased from the previous week in all Cumbrian districts;
The greatest proportional decrease was in Eden (-85%) and the smallest proportional decrease was in Barrow-in-Furness (-12%);
The 25-34 age group accounted for the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria, followed by the 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 age groups;
From week 8 to week 9 there were decreases in new cases in all age groups in Cumbria;
The greatest proportional decreases were seen in the 0-4, 65-74, and 5-11 age groups (-88%, -70% and -69% respectively).