Number of coronavirus patients being treated at Grimsby hospital has increased
four people are receiving critical care
The number of coronavirus cases in North East Lincolnshire is causing concern although there's been little change in the last week.
Figures are the second highest in the Yorkshire and Humber region with 40 patients being treated for Covid at Grimsby hospital that's up from 26 last week. Four people are receiving critical care.
North East Lincolnshire’s Covid case rate is now lower than only Hull and one other area. The region has seen a worrying rise in elderly people catching the virus and the number of Covid patients in hospital.
Despite cases staying relatively stable over the last week, North East Lincolnshire now has the third highest rate in England at 472 per 100,000 people. 768 people tested positive in the week starting August 9.
Over 60s are also increasingly catching the virus, the council’s latest epidimeology report shows. It has confirmed that there are currently 18 Covid cases in local care homes. Nine are currently closed and two more are partially closed.
However, there has been a drop in infections amongst school-age children, who are currently at home rather than in the classroom. The highest rates are still being found in 19 to 24 year olds.
The council has urged people to get their second dose of the vaccine once they are eligible or to go for their first jab if they haven’t already.
The vaccine has been approved for 16 and 17 year olds, which it is hoped will reduce transmission once young people return to colleges and schools.
82 per cent of North East Lincolnshire residents have had the first jab, according to official data, and just over 70 per cent have had the second.
The UK saw a small increase in Covid cases this week after several weeks of falls.
The Yorkshire and Humber region has the highest case rate in the country, thanks mainly to the volume in North East Lincolnshire and Hull.