Fears that pubs in Eden and Carlisle would spark a wave of new coronavirus cases have not been borne out, Cumbria’s director of public health Colin Cox said.
People who visited the Board and Elbow in Cornmarket and the Castlegate Arms in Penrith over the weekend of July 18th and 19th were urged to get tested after it was revealed that customers who had tested positive for COVID-19 had been into the pubs.
Mr Cox said: “What we can now see, from the low number of new cases identified, is that there does not appear to have been widespread transmission of the virus as a result of the visits to local pubs by people who were infectious.
“This is good news but we continue to monitor closely.”
Figures released by Cumbria County Council today reveal that Eden has seen a reduction in the number of people diagnosed with COVID-19, but the district’s rate still remains high.
The latest figures from Cumbria County Council, published today, reveal that in Cumbria as a whole, the number of new cases have fallen from 55 to 41.
The authority said the rate of cases per 100,000 in Eden remained high compared to the rest of Cumbria, but not compared to areas of concern in the North West.
It added that despite a high number of people being tested following recent outbreaks in Eden, it did see a reduction in new cases.
The local multi-agency Health Protection Board is closely monitoring the situation and is proactively contact tracing known cases.
In the last week, it said, local contact tracing teams have been involved in 32 incidents, tracing 137 contacts.
There is no change to the local public health advice.
Mr Cox added: “The numbers of new cases in Carlisle and Eden were a concern.
“That’s why we are extremely grateful to everyone who followed our advice and got tested.
“It is also very clear that the virus is still circulating and being passed between local people in the community, so we must not think that the risk has gone away.
“Only by continued vigilance and following the basic public health guidance will we prevent the number of people being infected growing again.
“For anyone heading for a night out this weekend I’d ask you just to do the basics – social distancing as far as possible, wash your hands regularly and make sure you provide contact details to any venues you visit.
“If you are getting a taxi we would also advise you to wear a mask or face covering.”
The key public health messages remain:
•Wash or sanitise hands regularly;
•Observe social distancing rules;
•Wear face masks or coverings in enclosed public spaces;
•If you have symptoms, self-isolate and get tested;
•Follow advice to self-isolate if asked.
