ALLERDALE has overtaken Carlisle for having the biggest number of new Covid-19 cases, according to the county's latest weekly pandemic update.

The update - provided by Cumbria County Council - shows there was a 35 per cent fall in new cases across the county, with a total of 867 confirmed new infections compared to 1,332 the previous week.

The figures cover the period up to February 5.

The key figures from the update include:

* Allerdale had an infection rate of 271 per 100,000 of population, meaning both it and Barrow (with 226 cases per 100,000) had rates above the national England average of 202 per 100,000.

* New cases decreased from the previous week in all Cumbrian districts, with the biggest proportional decrease in Carlisle (-59%).

* Allerdale had the smallest proportional decrease of all Cumbrian districts for the 2nd week in a row (-15%).

* The 55-64 age group accounted for the greatest number of new cases in Cumbria, followed closely by the 25-34, 45-54 and 35-44 age groups.

* There were decreases in new cases in all age groups in Cumbria from the previous week. Health & Hospitalisations Summary for week ending Tuesday 9th February.

* The number of new hospital patients admitted with Covid-19 positive status decreased from the previous week at both the hospitals run by North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC), which runs The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven; and at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMB) by -28% and -31% respectively.

* The average number of patients with Covid-19 in hospital beds decreased from the previous week in both NCIC and UHMB by 31% and 16% respectively.

* Up to Friday January 29, the number of Covid-19 related death registrations increased, though the number of Covid-19 related deaths occurring decreased slightly.

* There are still a number of positive covid cases across all education settings, however, numbers have fallen compared to the previous week.

* There are still a number of outbreaks in care homes (including supported living settings) but numbers have fallen compared to the previous week and the situation is improving, according to the latest data.

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in each local authority area in the week and the infection rate per 100,000 were as follows:

* Carlise: 156 (143 per 100,000)

* Allerdale 265 (271 per 100,000)

* Copeland 109 (159 per 100,000)

* Eden 98 (184 per 100,000)

* Barrow 152 (226 per 100,000)

* South Lakes 87 (82.8 per 100,000).