By Tatiana Zaituni & Leah Conway –
After a week where Kirklees’ COVID-19 infection decreased, cases are back on the rise. However, Kirklees is among a nationwide increase as the national average rate of infection has risen to 75 people per 100,000. Kirklees have also seen an increase in the number of hospital admissions due to COVID-19.
Cases and Hospitalisations
The Kirklees infection rate is 118 people per 100,000 in Kirklees testing positive for COVID-19, which is an increase of 15 per cent. The national average has increased to 75 people per 100,000, which has risen by 50 per cent
There were 21 people admitted to local hospitals over the last week and there has been one COVID-19 related death in local hospitals.
Kirklees Council is continuing PCR surge testing and increased testing offers with the goal of identifying and limiting any potential cases of variants.
PCR testing and increased testing runs until 22 June. You can find out more about Kirklees surge testing here.
National Figures
In the last 7 days, there have been 58,830 confirmed positive cases nationwide, a further increase from last week’s cases. In the last 7 days, there have been 78 COVID-19 related deaths within 28 days of a positive test.
Lockdown
On Monday 14 June, Boris Johnson announced that the lockdown will be extended 4 weeks, with the new date of 19 July being pencilled in.
Check out one of our contributor’s opinion piece:
Vaccinations
So far, 42,216,654 people have had their first dose with 30,675,207 people receiving their second dose.
In Kirklees, all people aged over 18 can book their vaccines and there has been a positive level of vaccine uptake. 253,000 Kirklees residents have had their first dose and 180,000 of those have received their second.
There have been a number of temporary pop-up vaccination clinics opening across Kirklees.
With a pop-up vaccination centre organised for 3 July, in Chestnut Centre, Sheepridge (11am-2pm). With further pop up centres in Dewsbury and Birstall.
Kirklees Council reminds residents that anyone aged 18 and over in Kirklees can book their vaccination now.
We must stop infection rates from rising
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “We’re no longer in the top 20 areas in England with the highest infection rates, but this more reflects the trend of increasing rates nationally. Our infection rate is still high and has increased again over the last week.
“Alongside this, we have started to see our hospital admission numbers rise. They remain at a low level but we absolutely have to stop them from rising. Bringing down our infection rates is one way we can do this and the other is to take the vaccine.
“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. There’s a key part all residents can play. 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.
“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.
“The very best way you can protect yourself, others and help us return to normality as soon as possible, is to take the vaccine when you’re offered it.”
This week’s COVID-19 headlines:
- Public Health England (PHE) has reported a 79% rise in one week in cases of the Delta variant.
- PHE official Twitter post stated: ‘’While cases of the #Delta #COVID19 variant are rising rapidly across the country, the increase is primarily in younger age groups who are now being invited to receive the #vaccine.’’