By Leah Conway & Tatiana Zaituni –
Over the last week, Kirklees’ COVID-19 infection rate dropped by 25 per cent. Over 197,000 residents have been vaccinated with their first dose, as residents are urged to remain cautious while restrictions ease.
Cases and Hospitalisations
58 people per 100,000 in Kirklees have tested positive over the last seven days, which is a decrease of roughly 25 per cent over the previous week. The national average is 23 per 100,000, meaning Kirklees remains above average.
There were 257 new confirmed positive cases in Kirklees over the last week compared to last week’s 330.
There are currently 16 people in Kirklees local hospitals being treated for COVID-19 – no change from last week.
Sadly there has been one COVID-19 related death in local hospitals, which is up from zero from the previous week.
Vaccines and Testing
Over 197,000 local people in Kirklees have had their first vaccination. If you’re over 45, you can book your vaccine now.
Free lateral flow home testing kits are now available nationwide. To find out how to get yours click here.
Kirklees Council is also trialling mobile collection points. Though be aware that these sites are only open for a limited time.
‘Stay Cautious’
Speaking on the latest figures, Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council said: “The success we’re seeing in Kirklees with the vaccine rollout is fantastic. Nearly 200,000 of you have had your first dose, and more than 70,000 have had your second.
“I want to say thank you to everyone who has been vaccinated so far and, of course, to the health workers and volunteers who have made our start to the vaccine programme such a success.
“The number of people being treated in local hospitals for COVID-19 and the number of deaths related to the virus are currently at their lowest point for a long time.
“Although our infection rate has dropped this week, it is still above the national average and needs to come down further and faster, particularly as we now enjoy some of the freedoms that have recently returned.
“There’s a really important role we all have to play in doing this.
“Please remember to stay cautious and keep each other safe so we can get Kirklees through the national roadmap out of lockdown and back to normality.”
National Figures
In the last 7 days, there have been 17,296 confirmed positive cases nationwide, a further decrease of 1376 from last week.
Over the past week, there have been 156 COVID-19 related deaths within 28 days of a positive test, which is down by 55 compared to last week.
As of this week, a total of 32,574,221 people have received their first vaccination. Those who have accepted the second dose total is 8,931,547
Lockdown
Lockdown restrictions were eased on 12 April as part of stage two of the government’s roadmap.
Outdoor gatherings of either 6 people or 2 households are allowed. This includes private gardens.
Outdoor sports facilities have reopened, organised sports can begin again and outdoor parent and child groups will be permitted (up to 15 Parents or guardians).
Several services have now been allowed to reopen. The following venues and businesses are now able to open:
- All retail
- Hairdressers, beauty salons and nail bars
- Public buildings like libraries
- Outdoor hospitality such as beer gardens and outdoor seating for restaurants
- 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
Step three of the easing of restrictions will occur no earlier than 17 May and is set to include a lift on most legal restrictions on meeting outdoors, as well as the continued reopening of businesses.
This week’s COVID-19 News in Brief
Daily COVID-19 infection rates in India surge past the global record for infections in a single day, with the country having reported 314,000 cases in a single day.
The UK Government has expressed plans to launch a vaccination certificate for would-be holiday-goers.
Government scientists continue to predict a ‘summer surge’ in COVID-19 cases for the UK as restrictions continue to ease.
Public Health England has said the countries COVID-19 infection rate is dropping but is highest among 10 – 19-year-olds
Based on the Office for National Statistics and the University of Oxford’s National COVID-19 infection survey, COVID-19 has moved from a pandemic to an epidemic in the UK.
All data is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change as figures are updated.