By Rachael Grealish

New Coronavirus cases rose by over 100 percent across Cumbria in the last week, the latest figures show.

Published today, Thursday May 20, by Cumbria County Council, there were 41 new COVID-19 cases, a 105 percent increase from the previous week.

Numerically, this was only a rise of 21 new cases from 20 the previous week.

South Lakeland had the greatest number of new cases, with 14 new cases, however there were increases in cases across all Cumbrian district – except Carlisle.

Copeland replaced Barrow-in-Furness in having the highest rate of new cases (15 new cases per 100k population).

However, rates in all Cumbrian districts were below both the national and regional average rates (21 and 37 new cases per 100k population
respectively).

The 12-18 age group accounted for the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria (11 new cases), followed by the 19-24 and 30-39 age groups
(both 8 new cases).

The 12-18 and 19-24 age groups also accounted for the greatest rates of new cases in Cumbria.

The 19-24 and 30-39 age groups experienced the greatest numerical increases in new cases from the previous week.

Notably, for the third week in a row, there were no new cases in the 70-79 and 0-4 age groups, there were also no new cases in the 60-69 age group.

However, there were 5 new cases in the 80+ age group following a fortnight of no cases in this age group.

According to GOV.uk figures there were no COVID-19 related deaths, within 28 days of a positive test, throughout Cumbria, for the third week.

There were no new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status and no patients with COVID-19 in beds in North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC).

However, both the number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 positive status and the average number of patients with COVID-19 in beds in University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMB) increased very slightly.

Over 300,000 people – or 73 percent of the adult population- have now received their first COVID-19 vaccine in Cumbria.

All districts, except Carlisle, have vaccinated over 70 percent of their adult population- but Carlisle is only at 69 percent.

People age 36 and over are now eligible to book their vaccine – however, some places across the county are holding walk in sessions for people age 16 and over.

This week it was reported the more transmissible B.1.617.2 COVID-19 variant (found first in Indian) had been found in ‘fewer than ten’ cases in Cumbria.

To see the full list of figures click here.