Outbreak at Kirklees care home led to 12% coronavirus infection rate increase

Kirklees Council said that the increase in Covid-19 infection rates over the past seven days was mainly due to an outbreak at a single care home.

Since being contained, the rates have dropped by 24 per cent, the council said.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council said: “Last week week’s data shows a slight increase in our COVID-19 infection rates over seven days, which is mainly due to an outbreak at a care home that has now been contained.

“Our rates had dropped by 24 per cent. However, last week there was an outbreak at a care home in North Kirklees, which resulted in a number of residents and staff testing positive.

“Our thoughts are with those that have been infected, who are being well cared for. We cannot reveal the name of the care home to protect the confidentiality of the people who live and work there, but their families are aware and this outbreak has been contained and poses very little risk to the general public.

“An encouraging sign is that we are no longer within the ten highest areas for positive infection rates. This is a credit to local people and the efforts you are all going to but please keep it up as our rates have increased and are still above the national average so we need to bring them down further.

“We all have a part to play in doing this and the easiest and most effective way is to continue to social distance, wash hands regularly and get tested if you have symptoms. We’re now also urging people not to hold events that could attract a crowd of more than 30 people.

“The Government announced new restrictions for areas in the North of England, including Kirklees, on 30 July. Government announced on Friday 7 August that these restrictions will remain in place and they will review it again on 14 August.

“I know how difficult a sacrifice this is to make, and I’d like to thank you all for following the guidance and keeping each other safe. If we continue to do this together, we will see these restrictions lifted.”

The Government releases new data every week which tells us what the rates of positive coronavirus tests are for each area, including Kirklees.

During the pandemic, 568.0 people per 100,000 residents have tested positive for the virus.

The data also tells us that 23.7 people per 100,000 residents tested positive in Kirklees in the past week. This is slightly higher than the rate of 21.2 last week, which was lower than the 28.0 the previous week.

The current national rate is 9.3. The current West Yorkshire average rate is 27.9.

Kirklees infection rates have increased by 12 per cent over the last week after dropping by 24 per cent the previous week.