TWENTY one Covid-19 patient deaths were reported in seven days by the north Cumbrian NHS trust which runs the hospitals in Carlisle and Whitehaven.

The grim new statistic - covering the seven days up to yesterday and including seven deaths in a single day - was updated today as the latest national figures recorded the highest daily deaths figure of the pandemic so far - a total of 1,820.

According to newly updated data from NHS England, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed 327 fatalities since the start of the pandemic.

The trust runs The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

Since January 1, there have been 54 covid deaths reported by the trust.

The worst day recently was January 16 - the day when managers notified NHS bosses of the seven deaths in 24 hours.

Over the last seven days, 21 deaths were reported.

Experts locally and nationally say the statistics underline just how vital it is to stick with the lockdown rules.

Colin Cox, Cumbria's Director of Public Health, said there are positive signs, with Carlisle's infection rate dropping markedly in recent days.

"Across the county, infection rates are falling from their peak in the first week of January," he said.

"The vaccine is here but it will be a long time before we get to the point where we are safe. We have to stick to the restrictions for now - to protect the NHS and to keep everyone safe."

The seven day infection figures and rates per 100,l00 for local authority areas in Cumbria are currently as follows:

* Carlisle: 924 cases (850 per 100,000)

* Barrow: 333 cases (496 per 100,000)

* Allerdale: 515 cases (526 per 100,000)

* Eden: 239 cases (448 per 100,000)

* Copeland: 300 cases (440 per 100,000)

* South Lakeland: 323 (307 per 100,000).

The current England average covid infection rate per 100,000 is 497.

The NHS trust which runs Furness General Hospital in Barrow and hospitals in Lancashire - University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust - has reported a total of 437 covid deaths.

This includes 19 fatalities during the last seven days.