HEALTH bosses remain vigilant around the threat of Covid-19 as although the vaccination programme rolls-on, cases have risen in recent weeks.

The most recent Government figures on Covid-19 show that 2,053 cases have been seen in Cumbria within the last seven day period, a rate of 410.8 per 100,000 population.

Allerdale has seen 524 cases in that period, a rate of 535.6 for every 100,000 people.

In Copeland, 269 people have tested positive in the last seven days, a rate of 395.3 per 100,000 people.

At a meeting of Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Copeland on Monday, Georgina Ternent, public health locality manager gave an update on how the area is coping.

She said that case rates are on the lower end of the scale, “But the pressure on the rest of our hospitals, our GPs and health and care services is absolutely immense.”

But vaccinations are breaking the link between Covid, and death or serious illness.

Georgina said that the county’s vaccine rollout is strong: “Our vaccination take up is pretty good. Cumbria wide its 88.1 per cent for the first dose, 82.6 per cent for the second dose. There’s a lot to be encouraged about but there are still those who are vaccine hesitant and still those that aren’t coming forward."

Georgina told the council: “We wait to hear about 12 to 15 year olds, I’m sure you’ll be aware our director of public health will support that.

“The 17 to 18 year olds are coming forward quite well. Case numbers are still in that younger age group, again that is falling.”

Last week’s figures saw Allerdale overtake Barrow-in-Furness as having the highest number of new Covid cases.

Director of public health Colin Cox said that cases are being driven by the 12-18 demographic and that testing amongst that age group is “increasingly important.”

The UK Government has this week rolled-out a winter plan to combat Covid. Plan A includes a third booster jab, prioritising the most vulnerable groups. Vaccines are set to be offered to those between the ages of 12 and 15 as part of the winter plan and concerted efforts will be made to reach those who have not yet been vaccinated.

If cases rise and NHS hospitals are pressured by rising admissions, the Government could enact plan B which would involve asking the public to be more cautious around the spread of Covid-19. It could also become mandatory to show proof of vaccination for some venues and mandatory face coverings could return for some places.