Level with us says TfN
THE new variant of Covid-19, which was identified late last year, now accounts for one in three of all new cases of coronavirus in Kirklees.
And in the last seven days new infections soared by more than 60 per cent.
That was the stark message relayed to Kirklees Council by chief executive Jacqui Gedman.
In an address to the first virtual meeting of full council in 2021, Ms Gedman said the authority was moving through a “critical phase” of the pandemic.
And she exhorted residents across the borough to stick to government guidelines and to stay at home unless absolutely necessary.
Speaking 10 days after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the latest national lockdown due to increasing rates of Covid-19, Ms Gedman said the new variant does not appear to cause more serious illness but that it is “significantly
more transmissible”.
She said: “Our latest estimate is that the new strain now accounts for about one in three of all new cases in Kirklees. This is an increase from about one in ten last month.
“In the latter part of 2020 we saw overall infections in Kirklees fall sharply to give us some of the lowest rates in the country but in the past three weeks new cases have increased once again. “Last week new infections increased by more than 60pc.
“It means that it is vital that everyone stays at home except for essential reasons or if they are a frontline worker.” “The basic public health advice – hands, face, space – is as important now as it has been throughout the pandemic. Acting like you – or anyone you come into contact with – has the virus helps to keep to the rules.”
She pledged that the council will continue to run essential services for residents as well as delivering rapid testing for the borough’s critical workers, and that it would constantly review
It is vital that everyone stays at home except for essential reasons or if they are a frontline
worker.
its service delivery “as we move through this critical phase of the pandemic.”
The authority has also offered its assistance to the NHS to support with the vaccination programme.
In Kirklees the NHS is delivering the vaccine at:
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary; John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield; GP-led centres in Batley; Dewsbury town centre; the Holme Valley; Huddersfield town centre, and in Kirkburton.
As of January 12, the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus reported by Kirklees Council was 24,373, with 1,384 in the last week – a rise of 35.7pc on the previous week.
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust reported a total of 358 deaths so far.
FUNDING cuts to key transport initiatives in the North threaten the Government’s levelling up agenda, leaders in the region claim.
Statutory transport body Transport for the North (TfN) said the Department for Transport proposes cuts to its budget next year.
The department is planning to reduce the organisation’s core funding from £10m to £6m, and scrap £3m of investment set to go towards the rollout of contactless payment systems for the North’s rail, bus and tram networks.
TfN finance director Iain Craven said:
“TfN’s board has clearly indicated its disappointment and concern that, at a time the Government’s levelling up agenda is needed most, funding is being cut, putting northern investment and jobs at risk.
“It falls substantially short of what we outlined the North would need to level up infrastructure and accelerate benefits to the region.”
TfN is in talks with the DfT over funding.