Covid-19 cases are on the rise in Carlisle, the city has been warned, which “may be related” to a coronavirus outbreak at the Cumberland Infirmary.

New data shows a “small but concerning” rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the Carlisle area, described by one public health official as a “powerful warning” that the fight against Covid-19 is far from over.

There were 18 new cases per 100,000 residents in identified in Carlisle across the week ending last Friday, three times higher than the six cases per 100,000 seen across England.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council added that “currently available data shows that from July 1 to July 7 there were 21 positive Covid-19 cases in Carlisle district area, with just an additional 10 positive Covid-19 cases across the rest of Cumbria".

“Data is updated daily and is being monitored closely.”

Carlisle’s rate is still, according to authorities, “very significantly below” the rate which prompted local lockdown measures in Leicester.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “As lockdown has eased, it could mean that people have been in more contact with each other, which has increased infections.

“It is also known that the Cumberland Infirmary is experiencing an outbreak and that this may be related. This is being investigated.”

The spokesman added that “additional data will become available next week which will improve understanding of the situation.

“The NHS are taking robust action to control the outbreak in the hospital and it is important that people who require medical care continue to use the hospital as normal.”

Anna Stabler, Chief Nurse at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are caring for people with coronavirus in our hospitals and have a small outbreak at the Cumberland Infirmary that is being actively managed.”

She added that this could be explained by the recent easing of lockdown and the hospital becoming busier as services are restarted.

“We are taking additional measures to contain the outbreak on site in the interests of safety of our patients and staff however we need the help of the whole community to prevent further new cases in Carlisle,” she added.

We are appealing to the public to adhere social distancing measures to protect people who are most vulnerable including those patients who do require urgent treatments for conditions such as cancers and stroke.

“The public can also help by attending appointments if you are invited and using our services appropriately. If it is not an emergency, call 111, see a pharmacist, or book a GP appointment. If you are seriously injured or sick, go to your nearest A&E or call 999.”

Claire King, consultant in public health at Cumbria County Council, added that the increase in cases detected in Carlisle is not large.

“But it is concerning and we cannot ignore this,” she said/

“After a steady overall decline, the rate of infection in the Carlisle area has gone up over the past week.

“This is a powerful warning that people must not be complacent and the fight against Covid-19 is not over.”

She stressed that all the measures promoted as being vital throughout lockdown still applied.

“Social distancing, hand washing, getting tested if you have symptoms, self-isolating if necessary and wearing face coverings or masks when required are absolutely crucial,” she said.

“We are monitoring the situation very closely, working with colleagues in the NHS and other local partners. At the current time, we are a very long way from re-imposing lock down restrictions given the overall low number of cases.

“But we have to recognise how easily Covid-19 can spread and that if we see these numbers continuing to increase then restrictions may become necessary.

“We will be analysing the data further over the next few days to learn more and if we need to adjust our action, we will do so.”

Deborah Earl, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for Public Health and Communities, said: “People in Carlisle have done a great job so far and I know it hasn’t always been easy to stick to the rules.

“We’ve always said that it was when the lock down restrictions ease that we’ll have to be at our most vigilant and these figures underline that. I urge people to do their bit to help keep their family, friends and local communities safe.

“Follow the rules and we can avoid having to take further action.”