Inside town with UK’s worst coronavirus infection rate – treble English average


It is one of our most remote towns, on the edge of the Lake District and miles from the nearest motorway.

Barrow-in-Furness also has a population of just 67,000 – yet it has become the nation’s coronavirus hotspot.

The industrial town has an infection rate of 882 cases per 100,000 people, or 0.88%.

This compares with rates of 368.7 in Wales, 246.4 in England, 253.1 in Scotland and 222.8 in Northern Ireland.

And by May 1, 61 people had died of Covid-19 in Barrow – a rate of 91 per every 100,000 people.

Barrow is a town of two halves, with miles of beaches set against the rolling hills of the Lake District.

But standing on the promenade, its industrial heritage is clear as the factories the town’s economy relies upon loom tall above the sands.

And that could be its problem.

Do you have a coronavirus story to tell? Email [email protected]

Shipbuilding town Barrow is home to just 67,000 – but has the UK’s worst infection rate

While Boris Johnson told the nation to stay at home, many of the people of Barrow simply could not.

The town’s biggest employer is Barrow shipyard owner BAE systems, which makes submarines.

And locals say that means most folk could not work from home.

Joseph McMullen, 50, has lived in the town all his life.

The construction worker says: “There are 9,500 people working in the shipyard.

“It is virtually impossible to socially distance. They have reduced the staff capacity now so they can.

“I don’t think we locked down soon enough. There are also a lot of people living and working in care homes here.”

Social researcher Liz Murphy, 39, grew up in Barrow and returned from Leeds, where she works, to stay with her mum during isolation.

She thinks it is no coincidence the towns with the highest infection rates are all very similar.

She says: “I guess in some ways it is a shock when you hear it is this little town hidden away.

“But when you look at the other areas that are the highest, it is no real surprise that eight out of 10 of them are the North West and North East coastal towns that have health inequalities, industry and low investment.

Joseph McMullen says social distancing is “virtually impossible” at the town’s biggest employer – a huge shipyard

“Places like Middlesbrough and Sunderland have a lot of similarities to Barrow. It is sad to read and it makes my heart hurt.

“I’ve been out for my daily exercise and I do see walkers and joggers but no real evidence of flouting the rules, and there is a lot of community spirit, people helping the vulnerable and fundraising for foodbanks.

“I also think we have been ahead of the curve in testing.

“But Barrow is an industrial area with lots of big employers, which means people are less able to work from home.”

Thomas and Christine Bowers say their town’s death rate is “scary”

Director of Public Health Colin Cox says the area’s high Covid-19 rates should be treated with caution due to the higher levels of testing.

The local hospital trust started testing health staff and families at the end of February – three weeks ahead of other testing pioneers, like Sheffield.

Mr Cox says: “The rate of testing has been exceptionally high due to the early and proactive approach taken by the University Hospital of Morecambe Bay Trust.

“In relation to Barrow specifically, while the infection rate figures are undoubtedly artificially high because of the testing rate, it is still possible Barrow will turn out to have a higher infection and mortality rate than average.

A thank you sign for NHS heroes outside the town’s hospital

“Indeed, we might expect it to: we know mortality rates are higher in older populations, urban areas and more deprived areas – all of which are relevant in Barrow.

“Barrow also has a small population, so any outbreaks with a number of deaths will have a disproportionate effect on the figures. And there have been some significant outbreaks in care homes in Barrow.”

Despite the figures, local hospitals have not been overwhelmed. But that does not mean locals are not worried.

Lee Roberts, deputy leader of Barrow Borough Council, said: “These figures are a concern. We know the hospital trust began testing earlier and more extensively, and this will have significantly contributed to the higher rates we see in the data.

The Mirror’s Amanda Killelea visited Barrow in Cumbria to find out why the death rate is so high

“What these figures don’t give us is any further detail that could tell us whether any other factors have had an impact – like age demographics, the more densely spaced housing in some parts of the borough or higher indicators of deprivation.

“We need an investigation into the data so we can see more accurately whether Barrow’s figures are indeed higher than average and, if so, what’s behind them.

“Any data which indicates a trend like this needs to be examined to ensure everything possible is done to protect the public as we move forward through the crisis.”

Enjoying their daily stroll along the prom, retired Thomas and Christine Bowers said most of their friendship group is sticking to social distancing – and so far they know no one who has been affected by the virus.

Thomas, 61, said: “I think the high infection rate could be down to the fact a lot of contractors come from out of town to work.

“And it is a small town and a very tight-knit community, people living close together.”

Christine, 65, added: “It is scary.”

A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We took the decision to send the vast majority of our Barrow employees home before the government announced the national lockdown. 

“Since then more than 4,500 employees have been working from home. We have restricted access on our site with fewer than one in five employees back at work and have put in place a number of measures to adhere to safety and social distancing guidelines.

“We continue to work closely with local authorities as we play our part in tackling this public health emergency.”



LO MÁS LEÍDO

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *