By Rachael Grealish

COVID-19 related deaths continue to remain low, but new cases have risen again, the latest figures show.

According to statistics released today, Thursday September 2, there was a 15 percent increase in new Coronavirus cases across the county.

There were 1,594 new cases in Cumbria – an increase of 202 from 1,392 cases in the previous week.

For the fourth week in a row Allerdale had the greatest number of new cases, with 350 new cases.

However, new cases increased from the previous week in all Cumbrian districts except Eden.

Allerdale experienced the greatest numerical increase, while Copeland experienced the greatest proportional increase of 30 percent.

Barrow-in-Furness overtook Eden in having the highest rate of new cases (438 new cases per 100k population).

Along with this rates in Barrow-in-Furness, Copeland and Allerdale were above both the national and regional average rates (313 and 318 new cases per 100k population respectively).

The 50-59 and 12-18 age groups accounted for the greatest numbers of new cases in Cumbria (248 and 247 new cases respectively).

The 12-18 age group accounted for, by far, the greatest rate of new cases in Cumbria (674 new cases per 100k population).

However, new cases increased in all age groups except the 0-4, 19-24, 25-29 and 80+ age groups.

The 60-69 and 30-39 age groups experienced the greatest numerical increase in new cases.

New cases in the under 50 age group accounted for 68 percent of total new cases (compared to 73 percent in the previous week);

The rate of cases in the under 50 age group was 1.9 times higher than the rate of cases in the 50+ age group (compared to 2.4 times higher in the previous week).

New cases in the under 50 age group increased by 8 percent compared to a 32 percent increase in the 50+ age group.

While the number of new COVID-related deaths still remain low, unfortunately another three people lost their lives to the virus in the last week, according to statistics provided by GOV.uk.

One person in Copeland and two in Barrow-In-Furness, lost their lives within 28 days of a positive test, by week ending Wednesday September 1.

As for pressure on the NHS, the number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status in North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) increased from the previous week.

However, the average number of patients with COVID-19 in beds in NCIC did not change from the previous week.

The number of new patients admitted with COVID-19 Positive status in University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMB) increased slightly from the previous week.

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

The vaccination programme continues to be a success in Cumbria as 82.7 percent of those over 18 have now been fully vaccinated against the virus.

Almost 90 percent of Cumbrians have had at least one dose of the vaccine.

The full list of statistics can be viewed here.