COVID-19 infection rates begin to drop in Kirklees

By Tatiana Zaituni & Leah Conway –

This week, the Kirklees infection rate drops by 15 per cent. However, the delta variant remains high and an increase in PCR testing continues.

Cases and Hospitalisations:

The Kirklees infection rate 102 people per 100,000 in Kirklees testing positive for COVID-19, it remains one of the highest in the country but has decreased by 15%. The national average is 50 people per 100,000.

There were 13 people admitted to local hospitals over the last week and there has been one COVID-19 related death in local hospitals. 

The delta strain remains high. The council have increased PCR testing in an urge to isolate and decrease the rate of infection.

National Figures

In the last 7 days, there have been 44,008 confirmed positive cases nationwide, a further increase from last week’s cases. In the last 7 days, there have been  55 COVID-19 related deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

Lockdown

Lockdown restrictions were eased on 17 May. You can read what rules have changed here.

Vaccinations

So far, 40,886,878  people have had their first dose with 28,857,102 people receiving their second dose.

In Kirklees, there has been a positive level of vaccine uptake. 253,000 residents have had their first dose and 180,000 of those have received their second.

“Continue to do the basics”

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “It’s really encouraging that we’ve started to see our infection rate drop after weeks of consistently increasing.

“We’ve been working really hard, alongside the NHS, our other partners and local residents in recent weeks to do all we can to tackle Kirklees’ rising infection rates. This is progress, but it certainly doesn’t mean job done because our infection rate is still well above the national average.

“Thankfully, our numbers of deaths and hospital admissions related to Covid-19 currently still remain low but we can reduce this even further and we can all play our part.

“Every vaccination matters. The vaccine rollout is continuing to be a big success in Kirklees and the more people that take it, the safer we all are and the sooner we can get back to normality. You’ll be contacted when it’s your turn and anyone aged 25 and over in Kirklees can book their vaccination now. 

“Get a PCR test as part of our increased testing and surge testing offer and help us detect and isolate positive cases so we can prevent further infection.

“It’s really important, that even when you have received your vaccine, that you continue to do the basics: hands, face, space as well as letting plenty of fresh air indoors.

She concluded, “Getting a twice-weekly lateral flow test is a really effective way we can all prevent the spread of the virus. This is really important even if you have been vaccinated.

This week’s COVID-19 News:

• COVID-19 Surge testing to expand to new areas in Kirklees
• New pop-up vaccination centres to open in Dewsbury and Birstall

• In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Unicef’s vaccine lead Lily Caprani said: “…countries like the UK and the G7 need to donate their doses to those low-income countries now, while still vaccinating their populations at home.”