By KLTV Newsdesk –
Kirklees’ Covid-19 infection rate has increased by a further 36 per cent over the last week in line with a trend being seen across the country.
Hospital admissions remain relatively low but have increased over the last week. The numbers of those infected are now highest amongst the 20-39 age group.
With all Covid-19 restrictions due to lifting on Monday 19 July, everyone in Kirklees is being urged to remain cautious as the rates remain high.
Cases and Hospitalisations
With 361 people per 100,000 in Kirklees testing positive for Covid-19 over the last seven days, the borough’s infection rate has increased by 36 per cent since last week. The national average is 350 people per 100,000.
Thankfully, there were zero deaths in local hospitals related to the virus.
However, there were 17 people admitted to those hospitals in that time, which has increased from 5 the previous week.
Overall, Covid-19 admissions have increased, particularly in the 20-39 age group.
Vaccinations
Kirklees continues to have positive levels of vaccine uptake with 277,000 local people having had their first dose and 223,000 of those have received their second.
Anyone aged 18 and over in Kirklees is being urged to book their vaccination now.
Over the past few weeks and months, temporary pop-up vaccination clinics have been opening across Kirklees, initially targeting areas of the borough that have the lowest uptake of the vaccine, and those with the highest rates of infection.
Kirklees Council and the NHS have announced another ‘Big Vaccination Weekend’, which will hopefully see hundreds of people get their vaccine in Greenhead Park and pop-up clinics all across the district.
‘Show Kindness to Others’
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council, said: “Covid-19 infection rates are currently very high across the country, including in Kirklees.
“Thankfully, we’re not seeing this impact on the number of Covid-19 deaths, but we have seen a rise in hospital admissions in the last week, particularly within the 20-39 age group.
“All restrictions are due to be lifted across England from Monday 19 July. After so many months of living within restrictions, I know that a lot of us want to enjoy the freedoms we’ve all missed for so long.
“It’s been a really difficult period for everyone and it is positive that we can see our lives return to some kind of normality.
“However, we have to remember that Covid-19 is currently spreading quickly in our communities so I’m urging everyone to continue to do everything you can to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Many people in our communities are vulnerable and the thought of restrictions lifting might be overwhelming, so we’re asking everyone to show kindness to others by giving people space, consider wearing a face-covering in a crowded space or if asked, meet people outside if you can, continue to wash your hands regularly and let plenty of fresh air indoors.
“We all have the choice on what measures we continue to take to keep ourselves safe, but it’s also really important to think of others.”
