Calderdale's Covid infection rate reaches significant mark as cases drop further

NHS Digital summary data from February 28 to March 6, available today, shows the borough has a case rate of 86.1 per 100,000 with 182 cases, a fall of 22 per cent on the previous period when it was 110.2 per 100,000.

Calderdale’s Director of Public Health, Debs Harkins, said this week that there is still a way to go through the pandemic, but there was cause for optimism.

At the moment though she urges people to keep following the guidance which will keep infection rates low while the vaccination programme is carried out.

“Every one of us can still make this lockdown count by staying at home and avoiding contact, wearing a face covering unless you are medically exempt, and self-isolating if you test positive or are a contact.

“Let’s keep up the good work, Calderdale,” said Ms Harkins.

The February 28 to March 6 data shows Calderdale had a 27 per cent decrease in triages – the number of calls from people who think they may have coronavirus to the various NHS lines – with 85, a triage rate of 40 per 100,000 of people.

The Government’s figures show the number of new positive cases in each area in Calderdale for the seven days to March 3 were as follows.

Todmorden West and Cornholme, 11; Todmorden East and Walsden, 5; Hebden Bridge, fewer than 3; Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale, 6; Ripponden, Rishworth and Barkisland, 5; Greetland and Stainland, 13; Elland, 8; Rastrick West, 10; Rastrick East, 4; Brighouse, 9; Clifton and Bailiff Bridge, 10; Hipperholme, 4; Northowram and Shelf, 13; Central Halifax and Boothtown, 9; Sowerby Bridge, 3; Sowerby and Luddenden Foot, 3; Norton Tower and Mount Tabor, 3; Savile Park, 10; Skircoat Green, 4; Southowram and Siddal, 8; Pellon East, 4; Pellon West and Highroad Well, 3; King Cross, 11; Wheatley and Ovenden West, 12; Ovenden East, 4; Mixenden, 4; and Illingworth and Ogden, 12.

The Government figures by local area are classed as Middle Super Output Areas – each has an average population of around 7,200.