New COVID cases up 20% as self-isolation rules change
New COVID-19 infections increased by 20% in week ending 13 August, up from 1056 to 1266. The increase reflects the situation nationally, where latest data shows the number of infections beginning to creep back up.
New cases increased in all Cumbrian districts. Allerdale had the greatest number of new cases (+262 new cases); Barrow-in-Furness overtook Copeland in having the highest rate of new cases (362 new cases per 100k population). Rates in Barrow-in-Furness and Copeland were above both the national and regional average rates (307 and 301 new cases per 100k population respectively).
35 new patients were admitted to hospital across the county’s two NHS Trusts with COVID-19 in week ending 17 August, a small decrease from 36 the previous week.
Positive progress with the vaccination programme continued, with data up to 17 August showing 86% of Cumbrian’s aged 15+ now having received their first dose and 77% their second.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said:
“We’ve seen a bit of a rise this week in new cases and it remains to be seen if this is a trend or just a small spike.
“It’s important to remember that while the rules around self-isolation have changed for people who are double jabbed and are close contacts of a positive case, it is still the case that if you have covid symptoms you should get a PCR test, and if you test positive you must self-isolate for 10 days - irrespective of your vaccination status. This remains a crucial part of the strategy to keep infection at manageable levels.
“Being double jabbed does not stop you catching or spreading covid, but it does make you very significantly less likely to get seriously ill.
“I continue to advise people to take simple precautions - wash your hands regularly, wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces, give people space, ventilate if indoors and get vaccinated.”
The weekly COVID-19 situation report for Cumbria is available at: www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread.
