Six more cases of coronavirus emerge in Cumbria

PA

Six more people have tested positive for coronavirus in the Eden and Carlisle areas of Cumbria, according the county's Director of Public Health.

Colin Cox has told ITV Border that they were swabbed for the virus on Sunday and the results have emerged today. It brings to a total of eleven the number of cases since Friday.

The latest Covid-19 report for Cumbria shows a "continuing concerning" increase in cases in Carlisle and a new small spike of cases in Eden.

The total number of positive cases in both places remain below other areas of concern in the North West. However, the rates of infection per 100,000 population are significantly higher than the overall North West and England averages.

In the last week, more than 1,200 people have received a text message from the council advising them to get tested. But it emerged on Monday that around 15-20% of the contact information provided by customers is wrong or unusable.

The council is now urging everyone entering pubs and restaurants to make sure their details are correct when filling in the Track and Trace form.


Director of Public Health, Colin Cox. Credit: ITV News

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show three more people have died after contracting coronavirus in Cumbria - bringing the death toll to 531.

The coronavirus death toll in UK hospitals, care homes and the wider community has risen by seven to 45,759, the lowest number reported since March 12, the government said.

The figures do not include all deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK, which are thought to have passed 55,000, according to data from the ONS.


NHS home test. Credit: PA

How do I get tested?

If you have coronavirus symptoms, Cumbria County Council says you need to book or order a test as soon as possible.You can book a free drive-through or walk-through test at a test site or order a home test kit from the NHS website.

Testing sites can be located at Brunton Park, in Carlisle, or Penrith Rugby Club.