Public health chief Ruth Spencer-Henshall has urged people in Kirklees to do more to help bring down infection rates.

Infection rates have dropped by 12% in the last week but hospital admissions and deaths have risen.

Ms Spencer-Henshall said though infection rates had dropped they were not falling as fast as they were in other places.

There were 888 new positive COVID-19 cases in the borough over the last seven days which is a drop of 12% on last week.

However, the amount of people admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in Kirklees has increased. 102 residents were admitted to local hospitals over the last week, up from 98.

There are currently 188 patients from Kirklees in local hospitals with COVID-19 which is higher than the first peak in spring last year and has increased since last week when it was 186.

There were sadly 22 COVID-19 related deaths in the last week – which is higher than 17 the previous week.

The Chadwick Lawrence concourse has become a vaccination hub

The latest data shows that in the last seven days 201 per 100,000 people in Kirklees tested positive for COVID-19, compared to the previous week when it was 230 per 100,000 people.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, strategic director for Public Health at Kirklees Council said: “It’s positive that our infection rates are falling, and I want to thank everyone for their efforts and continuing to keep each other safe.

“We have to be honest; we need to see our rates come down further and at a faster rate than they currently are. Over the last week we’ve seen the number of Kirklees residents being treated in local hospitals for the virus go up, and sadly so has the amount of people to have lost their lives.

“Most other parts of the country are seeing steeper drops in their number of infections, meaning we’re quickly moving from having one of the lowest rates in the country to now being at the national average. We need to improve this, and we can all play our part.

“By following all the guidance in place, you can help to ease the growing pressure on our health services and save lives. The best thing you can do to protect your family and community is to stay at home. Only leave your home for essential reasons and for exercise and don’t mix with other households.

“Please remember that the basics – such as hand-washing, social-distancing, wearing a face covering and getting tested if you have symptoms – are still a key way we can reduce infections.

“The vaccine continuing to rollout, with thousands of the most at risk people across Kirklees receiving theirs in recent weeks. If you’re over 70 and haven’t been contacted yet, please book your appointment online or call 119. For everyone else, please just wait to be contacted.

“Thank you once again for playing your part during these difficult times.”

If you’re vulnerable and need support, please visit Kirklees Council’s website or call 0800 4561114.