Infection rates continuing to drop, but still a long way to go
Kirklees Council’s Director of Public Health, Rachel Spencer-Henshall, has thanked residents for playing their part as COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalisations continue to drop. Over the past seven days, the number of new infections and admissions to local hospitals has reduced and more than 160,000 local residents have received at least one dose of vaccine.
But the Council’s Director of Public Health has also urged caution as infection rates are falling slowly and remain nearly double the national average. The council is urging local people to play their part in bringing it down further and continue to follow the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.
With 95 per 100,000 people in Kirklees testing positive for COVID-19 over the last seven days, the borough’s rate has dropped by eight per cent since last week. However, Kirklees’ rate is still above the national average of 58 per 100,000.
There were 422 new confirmed positive cases in the last week in Kirklees – fewer than last week when there were 459. Around 98 per cent of these cases were of the Kent variant, which has shown to be spread more easily. View all the data on the online dashboard.
The vaccine roll out is now also having an impact, with hospitalisations related to Covid-19 and the number of inpatients both dropping again over the last week. There were 24 Kirklees people admitted to local hospitals with Covid-19 over the last week, which has dropped from 30 last week. There are currently 41 patients from Kirklees in local hospitals with Covid-19 which is lower than last week, when it was 51.
There were sadly seven people who died with Covid-19 in local hospitals in the last week – which is up from four in the previous week.
Kirklees Council, with partners and volunteers, is helping to prevent the spread of the virus in a number of ways:
- Vaccine programme: It’s thanks to the hard work of the amazing health staff and volunteers that we’ve made such a strong start as well as the fantastic take up from local residents. If you’re over 50 and haven’t been contacted yet, you don’t have to wait – you can book your vaccine now.
- Community Testing: we urge anyone without symptoms who is a critical worker and has to leave home to work, to get tested every week.
- Community Champions scheme: we’re offering grants to voluntary groups who will tap into their local networks to provide advice about COVID-19 and the vaccines.
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.
On Monday 22 February 2021, Government announced its roadmap for England to gradually and safely come out of lockdown and for all Covid-19 restrictions to eventually be removed.
The first changes to restrictions as part of the roadmap were introduced on 8 March 2021, meaning you can now meet one other person outside for recreation or exercise.
You can read everything you need to know on the roadmap on Kirklees Council’s website.
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council said: “I’d like to thank everyone across Kirklees for continuing to play their part in bringing our Covid-19 infection rate and number of hospitalisations due to the virus down.
“In addition to following the guidance and sticking to lockdown rules, we can confidently say that the great start Kirklees has made in rolling out the vaccine is already helping our numbers move in the right direction. Thank you to the health staff and volunteers who have made our fantastic start of the vaccine rollout possible and to the 160,000 local people who have now had at least their first vaccine dose.
“The government’s national roadmap out of lockdown makes it clear that for restrictions to ease, one of the four tests we need to meet is to make sure infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations. With our infection rate currently above the national average, and only falling slowly, it’s clear that we all need to remain cautious and keep following the guidance. We also need to take the fact that seven people died with Covid-19 in local hospitals in the last week very seriously.
“All you need to do to play your part is stay at home as much as possible until restrictions can ease and take the vaccine when it’s your turn. If you do this, you’re playing your part in keeping yourself, your family and your community safe.
“You can now meet one other person outside for recreation or exercise. If you are leaving your home, to do this or for any other valid reason, please always remember the basics: hands, face, space. Also remember to let plenty of fresh air into your home – this can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
“We’re making progress and we can look forward to the future with hope. The Government’s roadmap out of lockdown shows us the route we need to take to get all of our freedoms back, but we’re not there yet. Please continue to follow the guidance in place to keep us safe and get vaccinated when it’s your turn because it’s safe, quick, saves lives and is our best route out of all restrictions. Thank you for playing your part.”
If you’re vulnerable and need support, please visit Kirklees Council’s website or call 0800 4561114.