Kirklees’ Covid-19 infection rate has decreased by 17% over the last week. The number of deaths due to the virus have seen a reduction and hospital admissions have also decreased this week.

Over the last seven days 290 people per 100,000 in Kirklees have tested positive for Covid-19. This is below the national average, which is 302.0 people per 100,000.

There were six more deaths in local hospitals related to Covid-19 over the last seven days. Hospital admissions have reduced, with 33 people admitted to local hospitals in the last week, a reduction from 51 the previous week.

Hospital admissions are still high amongst the 20-39 age group.

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.

Thanks to your fantastic response, we already have positive levels of vaccine uptake in Kirklees with 290,000 local people having had their first dose and 267,000 of those have received their second – thank you all for playing your part.”