By KLTV Newsdesk –
Kirklees’s Covid-19 infection rate and hospital admissions have both reduced this week, as the government introduces new measures to help protect against the Omicron variant.
Cases and Hospitalisations
Kirklees’ Covid-19 infection rate is currently 252 per 100,000 people, which is a 14 per cent decrease over the previous period. These are the 148th highest rates in the country and below the national average.
Hospital admissions are also down, with 17 patients admitted to local hospitals in the past week, down from 27 in the previous seven days.
Sadly, seven people in Kirklees with Covid-19 died in the last week.
Vaccinations
As of the time of writing, over 305,000 people in Kirklees have had their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with 277,000 of those people having had their second dose.
Additionally, 124,000 people have received their booster dose.
Over 40s and other eligible people can get their booster jab now if it is at least six months (182 days) after they have had their second dose.
Book your first, second or booster vaccination by visiting the NHS national booking system.
There are also a number of walk-in vaccination clinics across Kirklees where you can get a vaccine with no appointment required. Use the NHS site finder to find your nearest walk-in clinic
New Restrictions
This week the Government has made a number of announcements in relation to new restrictions and acceleration of the vaccine booster programme.
- Every adult will be offered a booster by the end of January.
- The amount of time you must wait between your second and third jab will be cut from six to three months
- Children between 12 and 15 can now have their second dose.
With the onset of the Omicron variant, there are expected to be additional announcements made over the winter period.
‘Greater Risk’
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “We always knew that the winter months would carry a greater risk where Covid-19 is concerned.
“Following the announcement that a new variant has been detected, with some cases confirmed in England, we all need to take extra care this festive period.
“There’s still a lot we don’t know about the Omicron variant, but what we do know is that getting the Covid-19 vaccine and booster dose is the best way of protecting yourself and others against serious illness.
“We ask that everyone takes a bit of extra caution this winter. Just follow the Government’s new measures and our local three key simple steps and you will reduce your chances of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 or passing it on to someone else.”
Mobile Test and Collect Locations for Week Commencing Dec 6th
Over the next week, Kirklees’s Mobile Test and Collect Team will be visiting Dewsbury, Birstall, Ravensthorpe, Huddersfield Town Centre and Thornton Lodge.
The full timetable for each location can be found below.
- Mon 6 Dec, 9am–4pm – Huddersfield Open Market, Brook Street, Huddersfield HD1 (test and collect)
- Tues 7 Dec, 10.30am-4pm – Ravensthorpe Community Centre, 24 Garden Street Ravensthorpe WF13 3AR (test and collect)
- Wed 8 Dec, 9.40am-1.30pm – The Methodist Mission Cafe, 3–13 Lord Street, Huddersfield HD1 1QA (collect only)
- Wed 8 Dec, 1.30pm-4.30pm – The Methodist Mission, 3–13 Lord Street, Huddersfield HD1 1QA (collect only)
- Thurs 9 Dec, 9am-4pm – Birstall Market Car Park, Market Street, Birstall WF17 9EL (collect only)
- Fri 10 Dec, 11.30am-4pm – Thornton Lodge Community Centre, Brook Street, Thornton Lodge, HD1 3JW (test and collect)
- Sat 11 Dec, 9am-4pm – Dewsbury Open Market 32 Cloth Hall Street, Dewsbury WF13 1QE (test and collect)