A further death among Covid-19 positive patients across hospitals in north Cumbria has been announced today.

The death occured yesterday among the Covid-19 positive patients being treated by the North Cumbria Integrated Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospital services in north Cumbria.

A further two deaths also took place yesterday among the Covid-19 positive patients being treated by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospital services in south Cumbria and north Lancashire.

A further death also took place yesterday among the Covid-19 positive patients being treated by the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospital services across Northumberland.

Barrow and Carlisle now have an infection rate of more than 200 cases per 100,000 people according to Public Health England figures.

Barrow has the highest rate of cases with 240.1 cases per 100,000 people with Carlisle close behind at 237.4 per 100,000 people.

The latest data for the week ending October 30 shows the number of new Covid-19 infections are continuing to rise in the county.

While Barrow and Carlisle remained the districts with the highest infection rates, both saw their rates drop. Barrow remains above the England average and Carlisle just below. By contrast Allerdale, Copeland and South Lakeland all saw significant increases in their rates, though all remain well below the England average.

For the 3rd week in a row, the 45-59 age group accounted for the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria. Cases among the over 60s also continued to rise, with the infection rate for this age group now just below the national average (155/100,000 vs 161/100,000). The number of patients with Covid-19 in hospitals across Cumbria’s two NHS Trusts rose to 159 on November 2 (this includes the Royal Lancaster Infirmary which also takes patients from South Cumbria). Registrars data shows a further 11 people died as a result of Covid-19.

Full list of Cumbria's latest infection rates according to Public Health England Figures published at 9.30pm last night:

  • Allerdale - 139 (142.2 cases per 100,000 people)
  • Barrow - 161 (240.1 cases per 100,000 people)
  • Carlisle - 258 (237.4 cases per 100,000 people)
  • Copeland - 131 (192.1 cases per 100,000 people)
  • Eden - 96 (180.3 cases per 100,000 people)
  • South Lakeland - 179 (170.3 cases per 100,000 people)

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said: “As we start this new period of national restrictions there are indications the infection rates may be stabilising in some areas of the county, but there are concerning increases in others. What is clear however is that the number of people in hospital is increasing and the health system is under real pressure. We have also sadly seen further deaths.

“If everyone sticks to the rules, the lockdown gives us the chance to significantly reduce infections, reducing pressure on the NHS, preventing more deaths and giving more time for vaccines to be developed. Although we must be prepared for further increases over the new two weeks before the effect of the lockdown in felt."