Kirklees Covid infection rate now highest in West Yorkshire but number is falling

The number of new COVID-19 cases has fallen slightly in Kirklees with 2428 local people testing positive for the virus in the past week.

Last week the council’s Director of Public Health, Rachel Spencer-Henshall issued an urgent plea to the whole of the borough highlighting the seriousness of the situation in Kirklees as infection numbers rose significantly. Although new cases have dropped, rates continue to be amongst the highest in the country.

The latest data shows that in the last seven days 552 per 100,000 people in Kirklees tested positive for COVID-19, compared to last week when it was 573 per 100,000 people.

Figures from hospitals in Kirklees, Wakefield and Calderdale show there were 25 COVID-19 related Kirklees deaths in local hospitals in the last week.

At the same time, 135 Kirklees people were admitted to hospital and tested positive for COVID-19.

The latest information also shows that 157 Kirklees schools (127 primary, 20 secondary, three all-through/middle, six all-through special, one Pupil Referral Unit schools) currently have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases.

There are 4,672 pupils in Kirklees who are self-isolating and not in school due to a positive COVID-19 test result, or by being a contact of a confirmed case. 192 are confirmed positive cases.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Director of Public Health at Kirklees Council said: “Our rates of COVID-19 infection have reduced slightly but hospitalisations have seen further increases this week.

“Our goal goes beyond stabilisation of infection rates. We need to see a week on week reduction and this can only be achieved if we all continue to play our part. I want to thank you all for everything you are doing. Lockdown remains a difficult and testing time for us all, but your efforts and sacrifices play a key part in our collective fight against COVID-19.

“The basics remain key for everyone: staying at home as much as possible, washing hands, wearing a face covering, keeping a social distance and isolating if you have symptoms or are identified as a close contact. Thank you for playing your part.”