'Small but concerning rise' in Covid-19 infections in Carlisle

Data released on Friday shows there were 18 new cases per 100,000 residents in Carlisle in the week ending July 3, compared with eight new cases the week before.

More data shows that from July 1 to 7, there were 21 positive coronavirus cases in Carlisle district area, with just an additional 10 positive Covid-19 cases across the rest of Cumbria.

Claire King, consultant in public health at Cumbria County Council, said: "After a steady overall decline, the rate of infection in the Carlisle area has gone up over the past week.

"The increase is not large but it is concerning and we cannot ignore this.

"At the current time, we are a very long way from reimposing lockdown restrictions given the overall low number of cases.

"But we have to recognise how easily Covid-19 can spread and that if we see these numbers continuing to increase, then restrictions may become necessary.

"We will be analysing the data further over the next few days to learn more and if we need to adjust our action, we will do so."

The reasons for the increase are being investigated, said the city council, with the ease in national lockdown restrictions one explanation.

A known "small" outbreak at Cumberland Infirmary is also being probed.

Anna Stabler, chief nurse at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are caring for people with coronavirus in our hospitals and have a small outbreak at the Cumberland Infirmary that is being actively managed.

"This is in line with what we might expect given the recent easing of lockdown and the hospital becoming busier as services are restarted.

"We are taking additional measures to contain the outbreak on site in the interests of safety of our patients and staff.

"However, we need the help of the whole community to prevent further new cases in Carlisle.

"We are appealing to the public to adhere to social distancing measures to protect people who are most vulnerable, including those patients who do require urgent treatments for conditions such as cancers and stroke."