A further 29 new positive cases of Covid-19 were reported across Cumbria yesterday, as the county is urged to limit contact to no more than two households at a time.

More than half of these new cases were recorded in Barrow: the town recorded 16 new positive Covid-19 cases yesterday.

The number of new positive Covid-19 cases reported yesterday in each area of Cumbria are as follows:

  • Allerdale: 2;
  • Barrow-in-Furness: 16;
  • Carlisle: 2;
  • Copeland: 4;
  • Eden: 2;
  • South Lakeland: 3.

These new figures, published today, come after new advice from authorities in Cumbria advising everyone in the county to keep gatherings of up to six people to a maximum of two households.

This is an extension of the recommendations brought in a fortnight ago for Barrow, given the rising case numbers across the county.

Cumbria's director of public health, Colin Cox, explained yesterday: "The number of Covid-19 cases in the county has doubled in a week and hospitalisations are increasing.

"But we are not yet in the position of other areas in the north west and we have a small window of opportunity to act to slow the spread, protect our communities and local economy, and avoid becoming the next area in local lockdown.

“We know that limiting contact between households can reduce transmission.

"The ‘two-households’ advice we’re issuing today doesn’t have the force of law behind it, but we’re calling on everyone living in Cumbria to take it seriously and act accordingly. This is about local people taking responsible, proportionate, action to protect themselves, their families and their communities from this disease."

He added that Covid-19 is spreading throughout the county with "increasing speed", following the same pattern from the first wave of the virus.

"Following the ‘two-households’ advice, alongside hand washing, face coverings and social distancing, can make a difference, but we need everyone to take heed and act," he said.

Weekly snapshot

The warning from Mr Cox came as the latest detailed weekly breakdown of the Covid-19 situation in Cumbria was released.

Here is the summary of yesterday's update on the Covid-19 situation in Cumbria from the Cumbria Health Protection Board. All date refers to the week ending September 25:

• A total of 11,358 tests were carried out, a slight decrease from the previous week;

• There was an increase in symptomatic cases;

• 209 new cases in Cumbria, a 100 case increase from 109 cases in previous week;

• For the fourth consecutive week Barrow-in-Furness had the greatest number of new cases: 61 new

cases, followed by Carlisle, with 49 new cases;

• Barrow-in-Furness also had the highest rate of new cases 91 new cases per 100,000 people, well above the national average for England of 57 new cases per 100,000;

• The number of new cases increased from week 38 in all Cumbrian districts except Eden, with Carlisle

experiencing a particularly large increase from week 38;

• Greatest number of new positive cases are those aged 15-29 years, however, there has been a recent

increase in cases relating to 45-59 year olds;

• A notable increase in the number of patients with Covid-19 in hospital beds, particularly in South

Cumbria.

Covid-19 deaths

Deaths across the county remain steady, with the numbers of those who have died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test remaining as follows:

  • Allerdale 74
  • Barrow-in-Furness 55
  • Carlisle 102
  • Copeland 53
  • Eden 34
  • South Lakeland 87