Confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Cumbria have again doubled in week ending June 25, with 772 new cases up from 377 the previous week.

The increase coincides with Cumbria’s highest ever weekly testing total, with over 80,000 tests carried out (LFT and PCR tests combined).

Among the 12 to 30 age group targeted for ‘surge testing’ 16,324 PCR tests were recorded, compared to a normal weekly average of 2,453 - a 560 per cent increase.

The increase in positive cases was expected given the significant increase in testing and the percentage of people testing positive has not significantly changed.

This gives increasing confidence that this third wave of infection may not be as severe as previous waves.

Those aged 12-30 are still being encouraged to get a PCR test if they have not yet done so.

Case rates among younger age groups continue to be very significantly higher than older groups, with a rate of 242/100k for under 50s but just 34/100k for over 50s.

Anyone aged 12-30 can simply ‘walk-in’ to any of the county’s local testing sites without booking.

Despite the rapidly increasing number of confirmed cases, Cumbrian hospitals are not seeing any significant change in the number of people attending hospital or being admitted because of Covid.

The low numbers highlight the positive impact of the county’s vaccination programme in breaking the link between infection and serious illness.

83 per cent of Cumbrian adults have now received their first dose and 65 per cent have received both doses. The vaccine is now available to everyone aged 18 or over.

The weekly COVID-19 situation report is available at www.cumbria.gov.uk/stopthespread.