Health bosses are urging the public to only come to A&E if their condition is life threatening.

Pressure in the hospitals has increased over the last few days with increasing number of patients with coronavirus and the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is asking the public to help make sure they remain able to support people with the most urgent needs.

Dr Rod Harpin, Medical Director said: “The position in north Cumbria is reflected across the UK, but as we see a rise in Covid cases in our hospitals it is really important that the public do their bit to help us.

“For health conditions that are not life threatening please visit your GP, pharmacist or call 111. Health professionals are on hand on 111 every day of the week, 24 hours a day and can make sure you get the most appropriate help in a timely way.”

Tier four restrictions in place across Cumbria include:

Not leaving your home or garden except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. A reasonable excuse includes: work and volunteering, fulfilling legal obligations, education and childcare, to meet others in your support bubble or to provide care, exercise and recreation, medical reasons or compassionate grounds, communal worship and life events and meeting outdoors with one person not in your support bubble.

The full list of tier four rules can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home.