By Tatiana Zaituni –
Kirklees’s COVID-19 infection rate has dropped by 9 per cent over the past week alongside hospitalisations. However, the number of deaths has increased in the same period.
People are encouraged to keep doing all they can to keep each other safe, which recently has been surrounded by the discussions of whether the government should reimpose guidelines such as masks and work from home again.
Cases and Hospitalisations
473 people per 100,000 in Kirklees have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past week, a reduction of 9 per cent since the last period.
These numbers are slightly lower than the national average of 481.5 people per 100,000.
Hospital admissions have also decreased over the last 7 days, with 29 residents admitted to local hospitals with Covid related issues.
Sadly, there were ten deaths related to Covid-19 in local hospitals in the last week.
Hospital admissions at the moment are still particularly high amongst people 20 to 39 years old.
National Figures
There were 327,537 confirmed positive cases nationwide in the last seven days, increasing from the previous week.
Over the past seven days, there have been 912 Covid-19 related deaths within 28 days of a positive test, a rise from last week.
Vaccinations
In Kirklees, 299,000 people have had their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with 272,000 of those having received their second.
At a national level, 49,882,904 people have had their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with 45,651,222 people receiving their second dose.
This equates to 86.7 per cent of the population over the age of 12 receiving at least their first dose.
12.7 per cent of the UK population have already received their third vaccine also known as a booster – equating to 7,293,638 people reported to be fully vaccinated for the winter.
All people aged over 16 can book their vaccines or attend walk-in clinics across the district.
Additionally, there are now walk-in vaccination clinics for children aged 12-15.
Details on where to find your nearest walk-in clinic or to book an appointment can be found on the council’s website: COVID-19 vaccination programme | Kirklees Council
This week’s Covid-19 headlines
Staying Covid safe over Halloween
West Yorkshire Police put out a press release urging residents to stay Covid safe during Halloween and Bonfire night celebrations as the busiest time of year approaches.
Chief Superintendent Daniel Greenwood, commander of West Yorkshire Police’s operation for Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night, said: “Whilst concerns around Covid remain present, and a number of organised events will not be going ahead, we do anticipate this Autumn will see a return to traditional levels of activities such as trick or treating and Bonfire night gatherings.”
He explains: “If anyone is concerned for their safety or has witnessed anti-social or criminal behaviour, then I urge them to contact the police using 999 if it is an emergency or 101 or online methods if not.”
Red travel list removals
All countries are to be removed from the red travel list, meaning there will no longer be any requirement to quarantine for UK arrivals.
Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela are being taken off the list from 4 am on Monday.
However, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the red list category and mandatory hotel quarantine was not removed entirely and will be reviewed every three weeks.
All data is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change as figures are updated.