A RAPID rise in Covid-19 infections across Cumbria is probably down to the new variant of the virus, according to Colin Cox, Cumbria's director of public health.

Cumbria County Council has just published its latest summary of the coronavirus rates across the county, with the figures showing a 52 per cent jump in the infection's prevalence.

A breakdown of the seven day infection rates across Cumbria is as follows, per 100,000 people:

Allerdale - 117

Barrow - 53

Carlisle - 204

Copeland - 22

Eden - 157

South Lakes - 191

The total number of people with at least one positive Covid-19 test result since the start of the pandemic in each area is as follows:

Allerdale - 1,732

Barrow - 2,210

Carlisle - 3,185

Copeland - 1,263

Eden - 1,259

South Lakes - 2,611

Yesterday the UK total for people testing positive for the coronavirus stood at 39,237, in the last seven days the number is 236,275.

A breakdown of the seven day rate of deaths within 28 days of positive test by area:

Allerdale -102

Barrow - 111

Carlisle - 127

Copeland - 81

Eden - 51

South Lakes - 145