More than 100 care home residents in Cumbria are now thought to have died after contracting Covid-19, says the county’s most senior public health official.

Cumbria’s director of public health, Colin Cox, revealed the figure as he reacted to the latest government update on the number of coronavirus fatalities. There have been 261 coronavirus deaths reported by Cumbria’s two acute hosptial NHS trusts.

At North Cumbria Integrated Care Foundation Trust, the number of deaths was yesterday 117. The trust manages both The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital.

Mr Cox said: “The figures are telling the story of a slowdown in deaths in hospitals. There’s a sense that the curve [in infections] is definitely on the way down.”

But Mr Cox cautioned against any temptation to retreat from social distancing,.

“While it looks as if we’ve passed the worst in hospitals, there are places where we have not. Care homes are still in a position where it’s challenging,” he said.

There have been 24 confirmed Covid-19 deaths in Cumbrian care homes, and 77 suspected coronavirus deaths.

Mr Cox added his thanks to the many dedicated care home staff, who continue to look after residents in difficult circumstances every day.