BARROW is still below the national average in Covid-19 rates despite seeing a 140 per cent rise in confirmed cases.

Statistics released by Public Health England show that the rate of people with a positive coronavirus result has risen by 142.9 per cent in the week ending March 17.

Between March 3 and 10, Barrow had an average rolling rate of 20.9 per 100,000 which has risen to 50.7 per 100,000 in the week ending March 17.

This represents a rise of 34 confirmed Covid cases in the week ending March 17, compared to 14 cases which were recorded in the previous week.

Ann Thomson, leader of Barrow Borough Council, said the recent figures must be viewed in context and the town was still below the national average in infection rates.

She said: "Of course we do not wish to see any increase in rates of coronavirus in Barrow, but we must view the most recent figures in context.

"A small increase in real terms can translate into what appears to be an alarming increase in percentage terms. The reality of the period in question is that there were 34 cases, which was below that national average.

"The people of Barrow have done a fantastic job of staying at home, travelling only when essential and abiding by the rules. As we move towards a new phase on the government's roadmap, I have every confidence that as a town and borough, we will continue to do the right thing.

"It has been tough but there is light at the end of the tunnel and we all need to play our part.".

In the 12 months from March last year, 159 people in Barrow died due to Covid-19, according to the ONS figures – a rate of 223 per 100,000 people.

The peak month for deaths was April when 56 were recorded.

Barrow's neighbourhoods worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic have also been revealed in the first annual death toll of the virus.

The neighbourhoods with the highest number of deaths include: Hawcoat and Furness Abbey with 28 deaths due to Covid-19, Roose with 23 and Barrow Central with 19.

The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Cumbria increased by 26 in the last 24 hours, official figures show.

Public Health England figures show that 27,844 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Tuesday in Cumbria, up from 27,818 the same time on Monday.

The rate of infection in Cumbria now stands at 5,569 cases per 100,000 people, lower than the England average of 6,695.