By Leah Conway & Tatiana Zaituni –
Hospitalisations due to COVID-19 in Kirklees have reached their lowest point in months, but the council is urging caution ahead of Monday’s easing of restrictions due to an increase in the infection rate.
Cases and Hospitalisations
There were 465 new confirmed cases in Kirklees over the last week compared to last week’s 422.
In terms of the infection rate, 105 per 100,000 people in Kirklees tested positive for COVID-19 over the last seven days.
This is a 10% increase since last week. Kirklees’ rate is almost double the national average of 55 per 100,000.
23 Kirklees residents were admitted to local hospitals over the last week, a drop of one person over last week. Currently, the total number of people being treated for COVID-19 in Kirklees hospitals is 32.
The newest figures mean hospitalisations and deaths are at the lowest point they have been in Kirklees for several months.
Unfortunately, another two people have sadly died from COVID-19 in Kirklees hospitals, this is down from seven deaths last week.
Over 176,000Â people in Kirklees have had their first vaccination. If you’re over 50 you can book an appointment for your vaccine now.
‘We need to stay cautious’
Speaking on the figures, Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council said: “The number of hospital admissions and number of people losing their lives with Covid-19 are continuing to fall and are currently at their lowest point for a long time.
“This is fantastic news and we’re starting to see the impacts of the vaccine rollout.
“Thank you to the 176,000 people in Kirklees who have already had at least their first dose, and to the amazing health workers and volunteers for making this possible.
“However, our infection rate has increased over the last week and is still above the national average. We need to do all we can to bring it down again.
“From 29 March some of our freedoms are returning and this is great news, but we need to stay cautious.”
National Figures
In the last 7 days, there have been 38,424 confirmed positive cases nationwide, a further decrease of 2% from last week cases. In the last 7 days, there have been 520 COVID-19 related deaths within 28 days of a positive test, which is a decrease of 31.4%.
As of this week, a total of 28,991,188 people have accepted their first vaccination. Those who have accepted the second dose total is 2,775,481
Lockdown
From 29 March, lockdown restrictions will ease as part of the government’s ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown.
The date matches when most schools break up for Easter. This means that outdoor gatherings of either 6 people or 2 households will be allowed. This includes private gardens.
Outdoor sports facilities will reopen, organised sports can begin again and outdoor parent and child groups will be permitted (up to 15 Parents or guardians)
The stay at home order will end but most lockdown restrictions will remain.
The next easing of restriction will take place no earlier than 12 April.
This week’s COVID-19 news in brief
Boris Johnson has faced criticism for recent comments about the numerous successful vaccines, saying: “The reason we have the vaccine success is because of capitalism, because of greed, my friends.”
Work to dismantle Yorkshire’s 500-bed Nightingale Hospital has begun. In its lifespan, it did not treat a single COVID-19 patient.
Several anti-lockdown protests erupted across Europe Including the UK.
On March 23 local landmarks were lit up in yellow to remember those lost to COVID-19 as the UK marked one year of lockdown.
Ministers say they are watching carefully as infection rates rise within Europe as they hope to ease travel restriction from April 5th.
MPs agree to extend the government’s emergency covid powers until September 2021.
All data is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change as figures are updated.
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