COVID is putting an 'incredible strain' on health services in the county, with more seriously ill people in hospital than ever seen before, Cumbria's health chief has said.

New coronavirus cases in Cumbria are said to be falling - but hospital admissions for the virus are on the rise.

New Covid-19 infections dropped by 25 per in the week ending 15 January, down 868 to 2632.

By contrast the county’s hospitals are now treating more Covid patients than ever before, with 379 people now receiving care. This reflects the delay between people becoming infected and then needing hospital treatment.

A further 53 people have died, bringing the total to 886.

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s director of public health, said: “We have hopefully passed the peak of infection in the community, but we may not yet have reached the peak of hospital admissions.

"We have never seen this number of seriously ill people in our hospitals before and it is putting an incredible strain on the NHS.

“There is absolutely no question that we remain in an extremely serious situation and it is vital that infection levels continue to drop.

"A 25 per cent reduction sounds good, but last week was still the second highest ever for new infections."

He urged people to stick to lowdown rules and pointed out support for anyone struggling.

“Lockdown is working, and I absolutely recognise the efforts people are making to stick to the rules," he said.

"We just have to stick with it for a while longer.

"I know this is causing real difficulties for some and I’d like to remind people that support is available, whether it’s about food, money, housing or mental health, via the county’s Covid-19 support line.”

People can call the county council's Support Helpline on 0800 783 1966 (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4.30pm).

The impact on the county’s 152 care homes and nursing homes remains 'significant', with 49 homes currently managing outbreaks.