Big fall in Covid cases in Cumbria

The number of new cases of COVID-19 in Cumbria has fallen sharply compared to the previous week – suggesting the county has passed the peak of the latest wave.

There were 5,232 new cases recorded in the week ending Friday 14 January - a decrease of 6,364 (or 55%) - down from 11,596 the week before.

In the week ending Tuesday 18 January, the number of new patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 Positive status in Cumbria decreased by 8 from the previous week while the average number of patients with COVID-19 in beds increased by 15 from the previous week.

As the situation slowly improves, the government has announced that the measures put in place under Plan B in England will be lifted as the nation moves to “Plan A”.

The announced changes are:

• People no longer need to work from home and should talk to their employers to agree arrangements to return to the office.

• From 20 January: Face coverings will no longer be advised for staff and pupils in secondary school and college classrooms.

• From 27 January: Face coverings will no longer be advised for staff and pupils in communal areas of secondary schools, nor for staff in communal areas of primaries. Directors of Public Health will only be able to recommend pupils and staff wear masks in communal areas in places where there are outbreaks or where the local public health situation justifies it, and with sign-off from the Education Secretary.

• From 27 January: There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering. The government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.

• From 27 January: Venues and events will no longer be required by law to check visitors’ NHS COVID Pass. The NHS COVID Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis.

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said: “It’s really pleasing to see the number of new cases falling as rapidly as they are in our county. Although I say this with caution – as cases are still much higher than they were in previous waves, and they’re still rising among primary aged children. So, we’re not out of the woods yet.

“Plan A does not mean all measures have been lifted. Testing, vaccinations, and self-isolation remain key to protecting ourselves from this virus and getting on with our lives as best we can.

“If you have had to delay getting a vaccination because you have had COVID and have had to wait 28 days, don’t worry, you can still come forward for your 1st, 2nd and booster vaccines. You’ll be made to feel welcome and have the chance to ask any questions.

“Additionally, anyone visiting a healthcare setting – whether it is a GP practice, a clinic, hospital or pharmacy or other – will be asked to keep wearing face coverings. This advice is not changing. And secondary schools in an outbreak are still being advised to use face coverings in classroom settings.”

What are the latest rules on testing and isolation?

• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test, even if your symptoms are mild.

• You should self-isolate at home while you get a PCR test and wait for the results.

• You must self-isolate from the day your symptoms started, or from the day you receive a positive test result if you do not have any symptoms.

• You can end your self-isolation on the sixth day of self-isolation following 5 full days isolating and 2 negative rapid lateral flow test tests taken on consecutive days.

• The first rapid lateral flow test should not be taken before the fifth day. The self-isolation period remains 10 full days for those without negative results from 2 rapid lateral flow tests taken a day apart. This is the law, regardless of whether you have been vaccinated.

For the latest information on COVID-19 guidance and how to stay safe, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.

The full COVID-19 situation report can be found at cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread.