Photo: Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Kirklees Council Strategic Director for Public Health.
By Dan Wood
Positive Covid-19 test rates have dropped by 28 per cent in Kirklees over the last seven days.
26.9 people per 100,000 in Kirklees tested positive for COVID-19 over the last seven days. Last week that figure was at 37.38 per 100,000.
Kirklees Council and NHS leaders will find huge relief in the most recent figures, as they continued to pull out all the stops to get a hold of the infection rate and bring it down. They already revealed that 5,000 people would be tested each week as testing plans stepped into the next level.
There is a double celebration for some as it was announced that many Kirklees residents, including those from Huddersfield and Colne Valley, would have their strictest lockdown rules lifted.
However, these rules will remain in place in Dewsbury and Batley due to their higher infection rate.
Despite these succeses, it has been stressed by Kirklees Council’s chief Public Health figure that there is still no room for complacency.
People are still being affected across the whole borough, so it is crucial that the guidelines are still followed and that everyone is doing what they can to keep everyone safe.
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Kirklees Council’s Strategic Director for Public Health, said: “The data tells us that the virus is still spreading, but rates have dropped by 28% over the last seven days and we have not experienced a sharp spike in cases as many other areas have.
“The government has today announced that local restrictions will be lifted for the majority of Kirklees from 2 September which is a really positive step forward.
“However, they will remain in place for the time being in Dewsbury and Batley where rates are higher.
“Our infection rates are still above the national average, so we need to continue with our work on the ground, targeting areas most at risk but we’re clearly heading in the right direction. We hope to see the local restrictions lifted in all areas next.”
She also still urged residents to remain cautious, no matter where you live. Social distancing and hand hygiene guidance is still being put forward as mandatory.
The consensus is that everyone should still get tested if they have any symptoms and local tracing systems are still in place for people who need help when they might be at risk of infection.
Rachel added: “Thank you to everyone across Kirklees for your continued efforts to fight this virus.”