Significant rise in Covid infection rates in Kirklees

KIRKLEES recorded a significant jump in infection rates for coronavirus in the last week, according to analysis of the latest figures.

The area saw 151 confirmed new cases of the virus in the seven days leading up to August 11.

The infection rate - the number of new cases per 100,000 people increased from 26.6 to 34.3.

The figures are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

Across the country Northampton

has the highest rate overall, thanks to an outbreak at the Greencore sandwich factory in the town, followed by Oldham, Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle.

But Kirklees was one of a number of areas that saw “notable” week-on-week jumps according to the PA news agency, which compiles a list each week of new cases and changes in infection rates.

Other areas recording week-onweek jumps include:

Rochdale (up from 36.0 to 45.0, with 100 new cases)

Manchester (up from 34.9 to 40.7, with 225 new cases)

Birmingham (up from 13.8 to 28.1, with 321 new cases)

It is based on Public Health England data published on August 12 on the Government’s coronavirus online dashboard.

Data for the most recent days (August 10 to August 12) has been excluded as it is incomplete and likely to be revised.

Earlier this week strategic director for Public Health Kirklees, Rachel Spencer-Henshall said a “sight increase” in infection rates over seven days was mainly due to an outbreak at a care home that has now been contained.

Health and Kirklees Council bosses say a relatively small number of cases can make a large difference to rates and this needs to be considered when looking at weekly changes and comparisons.

Kirklees’ rates have been above the national average every week since the local data has been released.