Pub-goers who enjoyed a night out in Carlisle are being urged to get tested for Covid-19, after a group received positive results for the virus.

The plea is being issued to all pub-goers, even if they are not experiencing symptoms, as contact tracers have found links between a group of people who visited the pubs as well as attending a local house party, who have since tested positive.

A total of six people within the group have tested positive, and those who have been in contact with them are now being traced and offered advice.

Anyone who visited The Turf on July 9, 10 or 12, Lloyds Bar (The William Rufus Wetherspoon) on July 11, or The Museum on July 13 is urged to go for a test.

And although the situation is worrying for some, The Museum manager is confident in Cumbria County Council’s system, and feels “very lucky” to have a space large enough for customers to feel safe despite the positive results.

“The council are doing everything they can to contain it, and I can’t fault them – they’ve been brilliant,” they said.

“We’re in a very lucky situation in this pub – we’ve got ample space and the customers have been amazing at respecting social distancing.

“There are still a lot of people who are wary of coming out, but we’re lucky because we’ve had customers still coming in and saying they feel safe, and hopefully things will be back to normal soon.”

Eddie Gershon, spokesman for Wetherspoon, said: “Our pubs operate the track and trace.

“We fully support the action taken by Carlisle Council in calling on people who were in our pub to get tested.”

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s director of public health, stressed the situation is serious, and the public’s help is vital to “keep the virus in check”.

He said: “This was always the risk as lockdown restrictions eased.

“We now have a situation where the virus has been passing between people in the community and this is something we do not want. To keep our communities safe we need people to take this seriously and follow the guidance.

“People may think that six positive cases is not many, but once you start to map out who those six have been in contact with, then the number of potential contacts rapidly increases.”

Mr Cox continued: “To help us get on top of the situation we’re asking people who were at these pubs to get tested, and if they are positive then to get in touch with the Cumbria County Council Covid-19 call centre on 0800 783 1968 so they can ensure people get the advice they need and their contacts can be traced.

“Outbreaks like this are going to happen if people don’t take the right precautions. Only by the public following the public health advice will we keep the virus in check.”

Testing is available in Carlisle at Brunton Park from Monday to Wednesday, and in Penrith at the Rugby Club seven-days-a-week. Book a test at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test.

Testing is also available in Annan and Gretna, and can be booked through www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested.

For more information on testing locations, visit the NHS website at www.northcumbriaccg.nhs.uk/covidtesting.