Latest Covid figures for Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford as 'promising' reduction in case rate reported

A total of 21,027 cases of the virus have been confirmed in Wakefield since March, up from 20,400 at the end of January.

And NHS data suggests that the seven-day rolling rate of cases in the district has now fallen to 199.2 per 100,000, down from 219 per 100,000 last week.

Covid testing centre for critical workers, volunteers and carers without virus symptoms opens in Wakefield

Across the district, at least 653 people have died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test.

Wakefield Council praised residents for their hard work in combating virus rates, but urged people to continue following lockdown rules.

Councillor Faith Heptinstall, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said: “Thanks to all the hard work of people across the district to stay at home as much as possible we are seeing a small drop in rates week on week which is really promising.

"However, our rates still remain high and so it is absolutely crucial for everyone to continue to follow the important guidance and restrictions currently in place.

“It is vital that we all continue to play our part and do everything we can to avoid the infection rate increasing again. We are still experiencing large number of hospital admissions in the district and must do all we can to stop our local NHS services being overwhelmed.”

These are the areas of Wakefield and the Five Towns with the highest rate of Covid-19 cases

A total of 218 Covid-19 patients are currently being cared for by the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, compared to 255 last week.

And at least 903 Covid patients have died while in the care of the Trust, which runs Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury hospitals.

Jo Webster, Chief Officer at NHS Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “While there is a slight decrease in the number of COVID-19 patients this week, it is crucial that we all continue to play our part.

“By following the national guidance, including social distancing and self-isolating immediately if you have any symptoms, you can help keep you, your family and your community safe. You can find out more about what you need to do on the NHS website www.nhs.uk.

“You can also help your NHS by choosing the most appropriate local service if you or your family need healthcare. If you’re not sure which service to use and it’s not a life-threatening emergency, call NHS111 or visit 111.nhs.uk.”

Anna Hartley, Director of Public Health for the Wakefield district, said: “Rates are very steadily declining but hospital admissions are still high and sadly, there were another 27 deaths from Covid-19 last week. These are all incalculable losses to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who have died.

“We must all take immediate action to protect ourselves and others from the very real threat of COVID-19. Our local health services risk being overwhelmed if we don’t do all we can to limit the spread.

“We must all play our part, pull together and follow the national restrictions to help slow the spread and save lives.”

Residents who are a ‘critical worker’ or otherwise have to leave the house to go to work can now access lateral flow testing at Wakefield College.

If you can work from home, you should continue to do so and will not need to access asymptomatic testing.

Those who have symptoms of COVID-19 should not seek a lateral flow test. Instead they must get tested, either through the local home delivery service, or using the national drive-in sites.