The extremely serious nature of the current Covid-19 situation in Cumbria has once again been underlined today, as four further deaths among Covid patients across north Cumbria's hospitals have been confirmed.

NHS England's daily report on deaths among Covid-19 positive patients in hospitals today confirmed four more deaths across hospitals run by the North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) NHS trust.

The deaths were reported today, but took place between Friday last week and Tuesday.

This has brought the total number of deaths among patients with Covid-19 across the trust since the pandemic began to 306.

A further death was also reported today among Covid-19 patients across the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, which runs hospital services across south Cumbria.

The cumulative Covid death toll across this trust remains much higher - 419 since the pandemic began.

Cases across Cumbria are continuing to rise, with one area exceeding 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.

Carlisle currently has the highest seven-day infection rate with 1,151.1 per 100,00 people. Eden stands behind with with a rate of 734.2 cases per 100,000 people.

More than 300 people has sadly died in north Cumbrian hospitals after contracting Covid-19 since the pandemic started, after five deaths were reported yesterday.

A total of 302 patients have now died in hospitals in north Cumbria since the start of the pandemic.

A total of 418 deaths among Covid-19 positive patients have taken place across the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust since the pandemic began.

The total number of cases per 100,000 people for the last seven days is as follows:

  • Allerdale - 694.6
  • Barrow - 620.4
  • Carlisle - 1,151.1
  • Copeland - 579.3
  • Eden - 734.2
  • South Lakes - 344.5

The total number of people with at least one positive Covid-19 test result (either lab-reported or lateral flow device) since the start of the pandemic in each area:

  • Allerdale - 3,199
  • Barrow - 3,014
  • Carlisle - 6,108
  • Copeland - 2,000
  • Eden - 2,269
  • South Lakes - 3,459