Health chiefs have reported a 61 per cent drop in COVID-19 cases and thanked people for sticking to the recent lockdown measures.
Provisional data shows there were 408 new COVID-19 cases for the week ending November 27th, down from a high of 1,055 cases the week ending November 13th.
It is the second week in a row that the number of new cases has reduced. Cases have risen in each of the preceding 13 weeks.
Colin Cox, Cumbria’ director of public health, said: “This reduction in new infections is really good news and shows quite clearly that in Cumbria the lockdown measures have achieved their main aim of significantly slowing the spread of the virus.
“I’d like to thank everyone doing their bit over the past four weeks; it’s because people have overwhelmingly done the right thing that we are in this improved position.
“I know these restrictions have been difficult for people for a range of reasons and I sincerely hope it Is not necessary for these measures to be brought back in the future.”
Cumbria is now in Tier 2 and the restrictions include:
- No mixing with other households indoors, apart from support bubbles;
- A limit of six on groups meeting outdoors;
- Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants;
- Guidance to limit unnecessary journeys and avoid travel into Tier 3 areas.
Mr Cox added: “The new three tier system has built on the previous one.
“The rules in each tier are now different, and tougher, than before. If people stick to these new rules then we have a chance to further reduce the number of new infections, and hopefully drop down into the lowest tier of restrictions.
“But the fact that only three parts of the England are currently in Tier 1 shows this will not be easy, and given how quickly we know this infection can spread we could easily move up a tier if we don’t take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and our communities.”
The number of COVID-19 positive patients in the county’s hospital has also started to reduce along with the number of admissions.
Dr Rod Harpin, medical director for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust, said: “At the peak of this second wave we were caring for between 80 and 90 people with COVID-19 in our hospitals and this is now between 60 and 70 people.”
