By Rachael Grealish

New COVID-19 cases and deaths increased in Cumbria over the past week, the latest figures show.

According to to figures published today, Thursday April 22, by Cumbria County Council, there 75 new cases – this is six percent rise in new coronavirus cases from the previous week.

The greatest increase was in South Lakeland, which overtook Copeland in having the greatest number of new cases – with 28 new cases, by week ending Friday, April 16.

This was actually a 460 percent rise from five new cases in the previous.

South Lakeland also replaced Copeland in having the highest rate of new cases with 27 new cases per 100k population.

This wasn’t all for the south Cumbrian borough, the rate was above both the national and regional average rates (25 and 26 new cases per 100k population respectively).

However, South Lakeland wasn’t alone in case increases – cases also increased in Eden and Allerdale (33 percent and 23 percent respectively), however, it should be noted that numerically these increases were small.

New cases decreased from the previous week in Copeland, Barrow-in-Furness and Carlisle.

The 30-39 age group accounted for the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria, followed by the, 50-59 age group.

The 25-29, 30-39 and 19-24 age groups accounted for the greatest rates of new cases in Cumbria.

The 50-59, 25-29, 0-4, 12-18 and 30-39 age groups experienced increases in new cases from the previous week, however, it is important to note that numerically these increases were extremely small.

Unfortunately, according to the figures published by Gov.uk, COVID-19 claimed one life in Cumbria – after two previous weeks of no COVID related deaths.

By week ending Wednesday April 21, one death was recorded in Eden.

All the other Cumbrian boroughs did not have any deaths within 28 days of positive test.

Unfortunately pressure has increased on the NHS in north Cumbria as the number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status in North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) increased.

However, the average number of patients with COVID-19 in beds remained the same in NCIC.

Things are looking more positive for the NHS in South Cumbria as the number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status remained the same in University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMB).

Furthermore, the average number of patients with COVID-19 in beds decreased in UHMB.

According to the figures over two thirds, 67 percent, of Cumbria’s adult population has received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

Allerdale continues to power through as 72 percent of its adult population has now been vaccinated.