A LOCAL lockdown may be necessary in Carlisle after public health chiefs found a “small but concerning” rise in the number of Covid-19 infections there.

The increase in infections comes a week after England reopened its pubs and restaurants – with reports of Scots travelling to Carlisle and other parts of Cumbria to visit establishments that remained closed in Scotland.

Data released yesterday showed there were 18 new cases per 100,000 Carlisle residents in the week ending July 3. The week prior that figure was eight.

A consultant in public health at Cumbria County Council, Claire King, said: "After a steady overall decline, the rate of infection in the Carlisle area has gone up over the past week.

READ MORE: Devi Sridhar fearful for Scotland's Covid-19 rate as pubs in England reopen

"The increase is not large but it is concerning and we cannot ignore this.

"At the current time, we are a very long way from reimposing lockdown restrictions given the overall low number of cases.

"But we have to recognise how easily Covid-19 can spread and that if we see these numbers continuing to increase, then restrictions may become necessary.

"We will be analysing the data further over the next few days to learn more and if we need to adjust our action, we will do so."

Public health expert Devi Sridhar said last week that she would be “surprised” if Scotland’s coronavirus rate remained low following the reopening of pubs and restaurants in England.

In Scotland last week as the five-mile travel restriction was lifted elsewhere, it was continued in the Dumfries and Galloway area due to a new cluster of cross-Border cases.

All 23 contacts were traced, and the restriction was lifted on Tuesday.