Kirklees COVID-19 Infection Rate Drops 37% Over the Last Week

By Tatiana Zaituni and Leah Conway

Kirklees COVID-19 infection rate has dropped by 37 % over the last week. Hospitalisations and deaths are continuing to fall. However, as more easing of restrictions approach on Monday 12, the public is urged to remain cautious.

Cases and Hospitalisations

The Kirklees COVID-19 rate of infection has decreased; 70 people per 100,000 in Kirklees have tested positive over the last seven days. It has decreased by 37% over the last week. However, the Kirklees COVID-19 rate remains higher than the national average of 37 per 100,000.

There were 308 new confirmed positive cases in Kirklees over the last week compared to last week’s 478 confirmed cases.

There were 16 Kirklees residents admitted to local hospitals over the last week, which has dropped from 19 people last week.

This week another two people have sadly died from COVID-19 in Kirklees hospitals, which is no change from the previous week.

National Figures

In the last seven days, there have been 20,056 confirmed positive cases nationwide, a further decrease of 37.3% from last week cases. There have been 216 COVID-19 related deaths over the previous seven days, which has decreased 32.5% compared to last week.

Lockdown

Lockdown restrictions were eased on 29 March, but the public is urged to still ‘stay local’.

You can meet in outdoor gatherings of either 6 people or 2 households will be allowed.

The next easing of restriction will occur on 12 April, which will allow several services to reopen. The following venues and businesses are now able to reopen:

• All retail.
• Hairdressers, beauty salons and nail bars.
• Public buildings like libraries
• Outdoor hospitality like beer gardens.
• Outdoor attractions like zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas.
• Indoor leisure like swimming pools and gyms.
• Self-contained holiday accommodation like self-catering lets and campsites for household stays only.

Vaccinations

As of this week, a total of 31,807,124 people have accepted their vaccination. Those who have taken the second dose total is 6,091,905

Over 190,000 local people in Kirklees have had their first vaccination. If you’re over 50, you can book your vaccine now.

“Kirklees heading in the right direction.”

Despite all the progress so far, the council is still urging the public to take great precaution, to use the available COVID-19 testing system and to follow the Government as the further easing of the lockdown are coming into effect on Monday 12 April.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “It’s fantastic news to see all of our numbers in Kirklees heading in the right direction, and it’s thanks to everyone’s efforts we are now able to move to Step 2 of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

“With more than 190,000 local people having at least their first vaccine dose, our hospitalisation and deaths linked to Covid-19 have fallen significantly.

“Please enjoy the freedoms we are getting back but remember that the virus is still spreading in our communities. It’s crucial that we continue with these improvements as restrictions ease on 12 April with people much more likely to come into contact with people outside their household or bubble.

“There’s a really important role we all have to play in making sure we keep our numbers down so we can get Kirklees through the national roadmap out of lockdown and back to normality.

“Taking the vaccine when it’s your turn is the best way we can save lives, keep pressure off the NHS and get our lives back to normality. It significantly protects you from Covid-19. The more people that take it, the bigger chance we have of beating Covid-19 for good.

“Another great way you can help reduce the spread of the virus in your community is by getting a rapid lateral flow test twice a week if you are not showing any symptoms. Asymptomatic testing helps us identify people who are infectious and could spread the infection to others unknowingly.

“Lastly, always remember: hands, face, space when you’re leaving home. It’s important to remember that if you are meeting with people from other households in line with changes to restrictions, it’s so much safer outdoors.

This week’s COVID-19 News

• From today everyone in England will be able to access the free, rapid COVID-19 tests twice a week. This plan will be at the heart to reopen society and the economy, helping to suppress and control the spread of COVID-19. Click here for more info
• Concerns about the AstraZeneca vaccine and its link to blood clots continues. Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the regulator in the UK, has said that the jab’s benefits continue to outweigh any risk.
• Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, commented, “On the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the best thing people should do is look at what the MHRA say, our independent regulator – that’s why we have them, that’s why they are independent.”
• Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has decided that Secondary School pupils in England must keep wearing face masks as a ‘precautionary measure.’
• It has been a year since the death of Belly Mujinga after reportedly being coughed on by a customer.  The Justice for Belly campaign group said: “We’re here today on the first anniversary of Belly Mujinga’s death, united in anger and grief. A year on, and her family still have no answers. They still wait for justice.”
• Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that people could start thinking about booking foreign again this summer amid criticism in the travelling industry. Passengers will be required to pay the cost of the COVID-19 test, to which he wants the price to be reduced. However, Jet2 Chief Executive announced that they would suspend flight and holidays until 23 June due to uncertainty of the Government’s travel guideline.