By KLTV Newsdesk –
Kirklees’ Covid-19 infection rate has remained at a similar level over the last week and is now close to the national and regional average.
The Government has today announced that, following the recent implementation of surge testing across the borough, the rate at which Covid-19 cases are growing in Kirklees has slowed and numbers are now in line with national and regional rates.
So, from today, guidance on taking particular caution when meeting anyone outside your household or support bubble and minimising travel in and out of the affected areas will no longer apply in Kirklees.
Cases and Hospitalisations
The borough’s infection rate has risen very slightly this week, by 0.6 per cent. 118 people per 100,000 in Kirklees have tested positive for Covid-19 over the last seven days.
However, infection rates are now closer to the national average, which is 101 people per 100,000. Though numbers have risen across the country due to an increase in the Delta variant of Covid-19.
There were zero deaths in local hospitals related to Covid-19, after one death the previous week.
There were 14 people admitted to those hospitals in that time, down from 21 the previous week.
Pop-Up Clinics
A number of temporary pop-up vaccination clinics have been opening across Kirklees for anyone aged 18 or over, initially targeting areas that have the lowest take up of the vaccine, higher rates of infection and a population at greater risk of serious illness.
Te positive levels of vaccine uptake in Kirklees has led to over 268,000 local people having had their first dose and 200,000 of those have received their second.
Anyone aged 18 and over in Kirklees can book their vaccination now.
Regular at-home tests are still available, and people are still encouraged to get tested whenever possible.
‘Closer to the Average’
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “Our infection rate hasn’t changed a lot in the last week but it is now close to the national and regional averages. It is still high though, so we need to bring it down.
“Thanks to the efforts of local people, we have slowed down the spread of Covid-19 in Kirklees and Government has announced guidance on taking particular caution when meeting anyone outside your household or support bubble and minimising travel in and out of the affected areas will no longer apply in Kirklees.”
Rachel added that while it is great news that there have been no deaths due to the virus in local hospitals, it’s important that the numbers don’t start to rise again due to the easing of the restrictions.
She added: “Some people can’t take the vaccine and many of those people have medical conditions that makes them more vulnerable to Covid-19.
“By taking the vaccine you will reduce your chances of passing Covid-19 on to someone who could become severely ill. Just because you’re young and healthy, there’s also no guarantee Covid-19 won’t significantly impact your health.
“The best way to protect yourself, whatever your age, is to take the vaccine.”