COVID-19 infection rates rising in Kirklees
COVID-19 infection rates in Kirklees increased by more than 60 per cent over the last week and we’re urging everyone to follow national lockdown rules to prevent the virus from spreading.
There were 1,177 new positive COVID-19 cases in the borough over the last seven days. You can view all the data on the online dashboard.
There were 74 Kirklees residents admitted to hospital in the last week (Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield hospitals) who tested positive for COVID-19. Sadly, 15 patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 died in one of these hospitals over the same time period.
The latest data shows that in the last seven days 267 per 100,000 people in Kirklees tested positive for COVID-19, compared to the previous week when it was 177 per 100,000 people. Whilst this is below the national average, there has been a sharp rise over the last seven days.
The Government announced on Monday 4 January that all areas in England are now in a national lockdown, with COVID-19 rates rapidly rising throughout the country.
Visit Kirklees Council’s website for more information about the restrictions in place.
We’re keeping community testing open to anyone who is a critical worker and doesn’t have symptoms. This aims to identify any asymptomatic cases amongst those who still need to go out to work in communities to help keep them and their family safe.
We’re encouraging all critical workers – including supermarket workers, early years providers, teachers and anyone else not able to work from home – to get tested weekly at one of four centres across Kirklees. You can view the Government’s website for a list of critical workers.
As the country is in lockdown and we need to stay at home as much as possible, our four community testing sites are now only open to critical workers.
Anyone in Kirklees who has COVID-19 symptoms still needs to arrange a test by calling 119 or going to www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council said: “In Kirklees there were more than 1,000 new positive cases in the last week, with 74 people admitted to hospital and 15 sadly passing away. This rapid increase, and the increased transmissibility of the new variant means we all need to play our part in preventing our situation from growing in seriousness as we have seen in other parts of the country.
“The Government’s new lockdown rules aim to do just that. If we all follow the rules and stay at home unless it’s essential or for exercise, we will help to prevent the virus from spreading. Please always remember that the basics – such as hand-washing, social-distancing, wearing a face covering and getting tested if you have symptoms – are still a key way we can all play our part.
“For some, staying at home during lockdown isn’t an option. To all the critical workers, and those unable to work from home, we want to do all we can to help keep you and your loved ones safe. That’s why we’re keeping community testing open to anyone who is a critical worker and doesn’t have symptoms. This, we hope, will identify asymptomatic cases amongst those who still need to go out to work in communities.
“After all the sacrifices we’ve already made, being back in lockdown, I know, is difficult for Kirklees residents and businesses. This time, however, we have a vaccine that’s being rolled out so I urge everyone to keep doing what you’re doing to keep each other safe because I’m confident there is an end in sight.”
I want you to know that we are here to support you. If you’re vulnerable and need support, please visit Kirklees Council’s website or call 0800 4561114.