The Harrogate district has reported a further 151 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

The district’s covid rate has risen to 534 infections per 100,000 people, which is the second highest in North Yorkshire.

Across the county, the average stands at 497 and the England rate is 389.

As of Tuesday, 23 covid patients were being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

Read More: 

• Major drop in applications for social care jobs across North Yorkshire 
• Care sector staffing crisis in North Yorkshire prompts major recruitment drive
• Hundreds of Harrogate hospital staff still unvaccinated

This morning, the Stray Ferret analysed UK government data on covid deaths in the district compared with vaccination figures.

It showed the number of patients dying at Harrogate District Hospital has declined significantly since the vaccine rollout took effect, despite soaring infection levels.

Three men were arrested after stealing a laptop worth thousands of pounds from the Apple iStore on James Street in Harrogate.

Officers were called at 4pm yesterday after two men entered the shop and left with a MacBook Pro worth £1,899 making no attempt to pay.

Owners of the store reported to police that the men had left the area in a car.

North Yorkshire Police used CCTV to search for the car and the men were arrested on the outskirts of York just before 4.45pm, less than 45 minutes after from the initial report.

Two men, one aged 18 and another aged 20, were arrested on suspicion of theft and electrical items that were believed to be stolen were recovered.

Read more:

• Harrogate Army Foundation College instructor demoted for punching teenage soldiers
• Cold Bath Road police chase leads to three drug arrests

Both were charged with theft and the driver was also charged for driving without insurance.

A third man was released without charge.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 

“This is a great result, the speedy work of our officers on the ground has resulted in us returning this high-value item back to the shop.

“As we enter the Christmas period, we often see an increase in retail theft. I would urge all shop owners and members of the public who are out shopping to be vigilant and to alert police to any suspicious activity.”

Data analysed by the Stray Ferret shows the impact of the covid vaccine in reducing the number of deaths related to the virus at Harrogate District Hospital.

Since December 2020, when the National Health Service embarked on the biggest vaccination rollout in the UK, more than 120,000 people in the Harrogate district have had at least two jabs.

The data shows the number of patients dying at Harrogate District Hospital has declined significantly as the vaccine rollout has taken place.

As shown in the graph below, the number of daily deaths at the hospital from covid peaked in February 2021 at seven. No more than three deaths have been recorded on any one day in recent months despite the highest infections rates since covid began.

The graph also reveals there was a noticeably higher number of deaths overall in the first two waves than in recent months.

The number of covid vaccinations since December 2020 in the Harrogate district. Data: UK Government. Graph: the Stray Ferret.

The peak of daily deaths came at a time when the vaccine rollout was picking up pace and a national lockdown had been imposed due to soaring covid cases.

Around that time, the district hospital was dealing with a peak of 68 covid inpatients, compared to 22 today.

The following months saw no deaths reported for several weeks in line with the vaccine rollout and restrictions imposed.

Once restrictions were lifted in July, the hospital started to report new covid fatalities — but higher vaccination levels led to a much lower death rate.

The daily covid cases in the Harrogate district since the start of the pandemic. Data: UK Government. Graph: the Stray Ferret.

Since March 2020, the hospital has recorded a total of 197 deaths.

The waning of the effect of covid jabs has seen the government start to rollout booster vaccines for those over-40.

High covid cases and booster vaccines

The number of covid cases has increased dramatically in recent months.

Daily infections peaked in October and have flatlined into November.

Read More: 

• Major drop in applications for social care jobs across North Yorkshire 
• Care sector staffing crisis in North Yorkshire prompts major recruitment drive
• Hundreds of Harrogate hospital staff still unvaccinated

Even so, the number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital has still not reached anywhere near the high set in February.

The data on vaccinations and deaths comes as booster vaccines have started to be offered to people across the district.

Walk-in centres have been operating in Leeds and York for those who are eligible for a jab.

However, data on the number of people who have taken up booster vaccines in the Harrogate district is so far unavailable.

As of Monday, 13.1 million people across the UK have had booster vaccinations.

The Harrogate district has reported a further 149 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

The district’s covid rate has risen to 534 infections per 100,000 people, which is the second highest in North Yorkshire.

Across the county, the average stands at 497 and the England rate is 389.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England figures.

Since March 2020, 197 people have died with covid at the hospital.

Read More: 

• Major drop in applications for social care jobs across North Yorkshire 
• Care sector staffing crisis in North Yorkshire prompts major recruitment drive
• Hundreds of Harrogate hospital staff still unvaccinated

Meanwhile, the number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital remains stable with 22 currently receiving treatment – a slight fall from 25 this time last week.

The news comes as it was revealed that hundreds of Harrogate District Hospital staff have yet to be vaccinated against covid.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid last week announced he expected to set a deadline for all unvaccinated workers to get both jabs by the beginning of April in a move which he said would help protect patients and the NHS as a whole.

The race is on to vaccinate around 450 frontline staff at Harrogate District Hospital after the government announced it was making covid jabs mandatory.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid last week announced he expected to set a deadline for all unvaccinated workers to get both jabs by the beginning of April in a move which he said would help protect patients and the NHS as a whole.

However, there are concerns it could lead to more staffing shortages in the health service which is still dealing with pandemic pressures and long backlogs.

The vaccine mandate will affect around 100,000 unvaccinated staff in England and follows a consultation which considered whether the rules already in place for care home workers should be introduced.

It is estimated around 90% of all staff are vaccinated, although the numbers vary at different hospital trusts with coverage at some falling to around 80%.

At Harrogate District Hospital, the figure is 91% although bosses believe it could be higher as it doesn’t take into account new starters or staff who have been vaccinated outside of work.

Steve Russell, chief executive at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“The vast majority of our staff have had their covid-19 vaccinations, however, there are a small number who have not yet been jabbed.

“We understand there can be a variety of reasons as to why some staff have elected not to have the vaccine.

“We are keen to support those members of staff who are eligible for the vaccine, but have yet to have it, to try and allay their concerns using impartial, factual information.”

The deadline for care home workers to get vaccinated passed last week with around 250 staff in North Yorkshire now facing losing their jobs if they can not be redeployed.

Read More: 

• Major drop in applications for social care jobs across North Yorkshire 
• Care sector staffing crisis in North Yorkshire prompts major recruitment drive
• Compulsory covid vaccines make recruitment harder, say district care homes

Officials at North Yorkshire County Council – which has launched its biggest-ever care recruitment campaign – say vaccine take up in the county has been good, although they admitted the numbers of unvaccinated staff was still significant for a sector already struggling with a depleted workforce.

If a similar trend is seen for the NHS, the health service could find itself severely short of staff come the spring.

Mr Russell added: 

“On a daily basis we see how severe the effects of contracting covid-19 can be and it is important that we do all that we can to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors and staff.

“The covid-19 vaccination is an effective means of preventing the spread of the virus by building protection. Since it has become available we have been encouraging all of our staff – not just those that are patient facing – to get vaccinated.

“Over the last couple of months we have also been offering our colleagues the booster if they are eligible.

“We have and will continue to encourage colleagues who have not yet had the vaccination to get jabbed by spring 2022 and if the need arises we will follow government guidance regarding those people who have elected not to have the vaccination.”

There has been a drop in the number of taxis on the Harrogate district’s roads in what drivers have blamed on the pandemic forcing them to abandon the trade.

Several cabbies quit during the lockdowns and many have now found new jobs with little desire to return as figures suggest around 60 fewer drivers are operating in the district.

Richard Fieldman, who runs A1 Cars Ripon, said his business only survived the pandemic by the “skin of its teeth” and that it has now continued to struggle.

He said:

“Times are still difficult for the trade.

“We are not back where we were before covid by any stretch of the imagination and we are not going to get there any time soon.

“As a driver for 29 years, I thought about packing it in myself during the lockdowns as this period highlighted to me how vulnerable we are.

“I personally managed to ride through this period, although I did end up in debt because of it.

“A lot of drivers have now realised there is very little reward in this trade.”

With fewer drivers on the roads, it has also had an impact on customers who could be left waiting on taxi ranks or unable to book journeys during busy periods.

Read more:

• Harrogate district’s mixed reaction to Leeds Bradford Airport expansion
• Harrogate council lifts cap on wheelchair taxi licences
• Harrogate and Ripon taxi drivers criticise airport’s ‘extortionate’ £5 drop-off charge

Kevin O’Boyle, owner of Central Taxis and the longest holder of a taxi licence in the district, said he believes the lengthy process that it takes to become a driver could be a reason why he is now finding it “impossible” to recruit them.

He said:

“I’m offering £600 for five shifts with tips and I don’t even get people coming through the door.

“Trade is still slow and the only reason people are making a living now is because the number of taxis on the roads have been diluted.

“We are involved with services for the NHS and if it had not been for these contracts we would have gone under during the pandemic, I have no doubt about that.”

Taxi licence fees frozen

The figures that around 60 fewer taxis are on the roads was revealed in a Harrogate Borough Council report, which has proposed no increase for taxi licence fees for the second year running.

Prior to this period, the council increased fees by 10% during 2020/21.

Mr O’Boyle said the proposed freeze for the next financial year would be “greatly appreciated” if approved by the council’s licensing committee on Wednesday, but added it only went so far to support the trade.

The report to the committee said: 

“Every year the licensing committee reviews the fees and charges for these licences. However, as a consequence of the impact of covid in 2020 there are now 60 fewer private hire vehicles.

“The proposed fees are set on a cost recovery basis and are not at a level that would discourage the trade investing in quality standard and accessible vehicles.”

A Harrogate district rambler has urged walkers to follow safety advice amid ongoing problems with cows on public rights of way.

The district is popular with walkers and also has a lot of cattle. Many walkers are nervous about passing the animals, particularly if dogs and calves are also involved.

A blog called Killer Cows, which includes accounts of livestock attacks, recently featured a post from hikers in Little Ribston, between Knaresborough and Wetherby.

It describes how a man and a woman walking a dog were “surrounded” by 50 cows on a public footpath. It says the cows tried to trample the dog and head-butted the man in the shoulder. The post concludes:

“We were both terrified. We are lucky to still be alive.”

It is not an isolated incident and sometimes the issue has tragic consequences,

An inquest in Harrogate in July found that Dave Clark, a deputy headteacher at Richmond School, died after suffering a blow to the chest from a cow which ran at him on a public right of way in a field in Richmond last year.

‘It is a problem’

Andrew Willoughby, who is part of the Harrogate Group of the Ramblers, said clashes on public rights of way between hikers and cattle continued to be an issue.

Farmers are entitled to graze cattle on public rights of way.

However, the number of incidents has prompted both the National Farmers Union and the Ramblers Association to issue advice to walkers and farmers.

Mr Willoughby urged walkers to follow the guidance when cattle start grazing again after winter.

He said:

“Yes, it is a problem.

“The main thing is when you go into a field, you just do not know if there may be some aggressive cattle.”

Read more:

• Knaresborough viaduct — best view in Harrogate district?
• Flurry of Yorkshire Dales barn conversions raises call to close planning loophole

What walkers should do

The NFU and Ramblers Association both urge walkers to be “mindful” that the countryside is a “working environment” where cattle graze.

The NFU says walkers should be “vigilant” and “try to stay away from animals and to be aware of their movement”.

Dogs should be kept under close control, but owners are advised not to hang on to them if threatened by cattle. Instead, they should let go of the lead and let the dog run to safety.

The advice says:

“This offers the best chance of a safe outcome to both you and your dog. If you feel threatened by animals protecting their territory or young, do not run. Move to the edge of the field and, if possible, find another way round.”

Further guidance urges walkers not to get close to cattle. Walkers should also avoid getting between cows and their calves, the advice says.

It adds that, if cattle do begin to follow, then hikers should walk on quietly.

Mr Willoughby added that people should avoid bright coloured clothing when walking in fields with cattle in them.

Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate has increased, as a further 134 covid cases were confirmed today.

Latest data shows that the rate has risen to 515 infections per 100,000 people, which is the second highest in North Yorkshire.

Across the county, the average stands at 481 and the England rate is 382.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England figures.

Since March 2020, 197 people have died with covid at the hospital.

Read more:

• Major drop in applications for social care jobs across North Yorkshire
• Anti-vaccine protest at Harrogate roundabout

Meanwhile, the number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital remains stable with 22 currently receiving treatment – a slight fall from 25 this time last week.

A proposed new bar and restaurant on Harrogate’s King’s Road has applied for a premises licence.

The premises would be situated in Ocean House and the former Ramus seafood shop. If approved, it would significantly liven a part of town not known for its nightlife.

GM Developments, which is based in Leeds, lodged plans with Harrogate Borough Council in October for the scheme.

Under a licensing application, the bar, called Frog, would be open from Monday to Sunday from 10am until midnight.

The application also seeks permission for the retail sale of alcohol on site.

Read more:

• New Harrogate cocktail bar to open next month
• New restaurant and bar planned on Harrogate’s King’s Road
• Harrogate food hall to close after just six months

The new restaurant, which would be based in Ocean House and create up to 20 jobs, would seat 70 people indoors. There would also be a bar, external pavement and courtyard seating.

The business would be managed by Roger Moxham, one of the founding owners of Harrogate’s Cold Bath Brewing company.

Mr Moxham said previously:

“We will serve a diverse array of global meals rooted in Asia and the Americas, which we intend to rotate throughout the year. 

“The menu will be underpinned by a weekend brunch offer all supported by a full range of hand crafted cocktails and beers and an interesting selection of soft drinks, teas and coffees.”

The council will make a decision on the premises application at a later date.

A wanted man who breached his conditions of release from prison could be Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Police is seeking information on the whereabouts of 24-year-old Joshua David Greaves.

Greaves was jailed in September 2020 for stealing motorbikes and bicycles worth £12,000.

Police say he could be in Scarborough, but also has links to Harrogate and Eastfield.

Read more:

• Cold Bath Road police chase leads to three drug arrests
• Hunt to find family of dead Harrogate man
• New Harrogate cocktail bar given go-ahead

Greaves is about 6ft 2, of slim build and has dark brown hair and blue eyes.

A police statement added:

“If you see him, or have any info about his current whereabouts, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12210238354.”