BARROW remains an area of 'concern' as new figures revealed the number of new cases had risen by more than 30 per cent over the previous week.

Colin Cox, Cumbria's director of public health, urged people to stick to the current lockdown rules and described it as a 'critical time'

The cross-Cumbria numbers indicated the county's infection rate was beginning to stabilise.

All districts remain below the national average of 274 infections per 100,000 people.

However, Cumbria County Council (CCC) announced today that Barrow and South Lakeland had seen worrying increases in the numbers of new cases across the previous week - with 32 and 42 per cent rises respectively.

A CCC spokesman said both areas were being 'monitored closely'.

Colin Cox said: “Nationally it remains to be seen whether this latest lockdown is going to be effective in driving down infection rates, and the signs at the moment are not hugely encouraging.

"Locally in Cumbria the picture is a little more positive, and it is pleasing to see most areas starting to level off. We are no longer seeing the alarming rates of increase of just a few weeks ago."

Cumbrian districts now have infection rates of between 188 and 224 per 100,000 people. The England average is 274 per 100,000.

The number of people being admitted to University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust hospitals, which incorporate Furness General in Barrow, as a result of Covid-19 rose from 158 to 161.

Mr Cox said: "While we are below the England average, by any normal measure the infection rate is still high and I really urge everyone in the county to stick to the current rules and do all you can to avoid unnecessary social contact, keep your distance, cover your face and keep washing hands.

"If we do, then we can reduce the pressure on our hospitals and give ourselves the best chance of restrictions being loosened in time for Christmas.

"This really is a critical time.”