Health boss: Colin Cox CARLISLE still has the county’s highest Covid-19 infection rate - though the more virulent new variant of the virus is fuelling a surge in cases across Cumbria. Colin Cox, the county’s Director of Public Health, says the new strain is probably responsible for at least 75 per cent of cases in Carlisle and west Cumbria. In South Lakeland, the variant is being blamed for at least half the cases. “We’re seeing the impact of Christmas feeding through and we will also then see the impact of the New Year,” said Mr Cox. In Carlisle, the current infection rate per 100,000 of population is just above 1,100.
Danger: Coronavirus is claiming more lives - despite the efforts of our brave NHS staff across Cumbria. CUMBRIA has seen a surge in Covid-19 hospital deaths, with a further four fatalities added to the toll in north Cumbria over the last 24 hours. The NHS trust that runs The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven - North Cumbria Integrated Care Foundation Trust - has now reported a total of 273 hospital covid deaths. The virus has claimed 19 lives at the trust in the last 14 days. The death toll also grew significantly overnight at the NHS trust which manages Furness General Hospital.