COVID-19 infection rates have risen to their highest levels yet in Carlisle and Eden, says Cumbria s most senior public health expert. Colin Cox, Cumbria s Director of Public Health, spelled out the scale of the local coronavirus challenge as it was confirmed that Carlisle now has the highest infection rate in the county, with nearly 600 cases. Government data shows that in the last week, 585 people in the Carlisle local authority area tested positive for Covid-19. The area s infection rate per 100,000 of population is 538.3 - just above Eden. Mr Cox said in recent days the new variant of the virus - up to 70 per cent more infectious - has fuelled a marked rise in new cases.