Rates of Covid in Wakefield drop further as district records first week without a coronavirus death in eight months

Rates of Covid-19 in the district have continued to fall in recent weeks, and now stand at 47.1 per 100,000 people, down from 112.3 per 100,000 at the start of the month.

And the district's health chiefs have also confirmed that the district has recorded a full week without any Covid-19 deaths.

It is the first time since August that deaths have fallen to this level.

However, rates of infection in the district still remain higher than the national average, which currently stands at 25 per 100,000.

​Anna Hartley, Director of Public Health for the Wakefield district, said: "Rates are continuing to drop in our district which is really promising and I know that everyone is happy to be taking these first very careful steps out of lockdown.

"However, infection rates are still higher than we would like and that is why it is more important than ever that we do not become complacent. We must ensure that rates keep going in the right direction.

"I urge everyone to keep going and continue to take immediate action to protect ourselves and others from the very real threat of COVID-19, even if you have had your vaccine, by following the regulations. By working together we can continue to slow the spread and save lives."

How many people in Wakefield have died from Covid-19?

According to the latest data from Public Health England, one death from Covid-19 was recorded on Thursday, April 8.

There was then a gap of eight days before another person died on Saturday, April 17.

It means there have been three deaths in the district so far this month, down from 82 in February and 108 in January.

However, more recent data is considered incomplete, and can take several days to be updated.

The last time the death rate in the district fell this low was in August, when 20 days passed without any coronavirus deaths.

Since the start of the pandemic, 25,647 people in the Wakefield district have tested positive for Covid-19.

And at least 764 people have died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test.

It means that around 2.9% of people who have tested positive for the virus in Wakefield and the Five Towns have died.

And the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury hospitals, are currently caring for 21 patients, down from 23 last week.

People in Wakefield are being urged to continue following all Covid-19 restrictions, including wearing masks and social distancing, to ensure that cases continue falling.

Jo Webster, Chief Officer at NHS Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "The further small decrease in the number of positive cases in Wakefield district is good news, however, we really do all need to stick to the guidance to make sure this reduction continues.

"You can find out more about how to stay safe and protect against COVID-19, the vaccination programme and accessing the most appropriate health service for your needs on the NHS website www.nhs.uk.