Public health officials in Cumbria have warned Carlisle residents that the number of Covid-19 infections in the city is on the rise.

What is being described as "a small but concerning rise in the number of Covid-19 infections in the Carlisle area" is leading Cumbria County Council's public health officials to warn that the public must be on their guard and follow the current guidance fully.

"The data tells us in the week ending July 3 there were 18 new cases per 100,000 residents in Carlisle," a spokesman for Cumbria County Council has said this afternoon.

"This has increased from 8 new cases per 100,000 residents in the previous week ending 26 June.

"For comparison the rate of new cases in England week ending 3 July was 6 new cases per 100,000 residents."

Data currently available shows that from 1 July to 7 July there were 21 positive COVID-19 cases in Carlisle district area, with just an additional 10 positive COVID-19 cases across the rest of Cumbria. Data is updated daily and is being monitored closely.

The Carlisle rate is still very significantly below the rate which prompted local lockdown measures in Leicester.