More people are being admitted to hospital in Kirklees with Covid-19 but the infection rate – and the death rate – has fallen again.

With 315 people per 100,000 in Kirklees testing positive for Covid-19 over the last seven days, the borough’s infection rate has decreased by 8% since last week. This is below the national average, which is 357.3 people per 100,000.

There were three more deaths in local hospitals related to Covid-19 over the last seven days. Hospital admissions have increased on last week, with 48 people admitted to local hospitals in the last week, an increase from 45 the previous week.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, strategic director for public health at Kirklees Council, said: “The vaccine rollout is having a really positive impact and is absolutely the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.

“By taking both the first and second doses of the vaccine you are protecting yourself and will also reduce your chances of passing Covid-19 on to someone who could become severely ill.

“Just because you’re young and healthy, there’s no guarantee Covid-19 won’t significantly impact your health and we are still seeing hospital admissions rise amongst younger age groups. The best way to protect yourself, whatever your age, is to take the vaccine.

“Regular rapid lateral flow testing is so important to help stop the spread of the virus, even if you have been vaccinated. Rapid lateral flow testing identifies those who do not have Covid symptoms but may have the virus and be spreading it unknowingly.”

There are a number of walk-in vaccination clinics available across Kirklees and you can use the new NHS site finder to find your nearest walk-in clinic, including those vaccinating over 16s.