More than 1,100 coronavirus cases in Harrogate district during second lockdown

More than 1,100 coronavirus cases were recorded in the Harrogate district during the second lockdown.

However, the number decreased dramatically during the second half of lockdown, as recently published Public Health England figures highlight.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a second national lockdown from November 5 until December 2 to stem a rise in coronavirus cases.

A total of 1,119 cases were confirmed in the district.

The figure represents a decrease on October’s number, when 1,353 were reported.

The daily coronavirus case increases throughout the second lockdown. Data: Public Health England. Graph: The Stray Ferret.

The daily coronavirus case increases throughout the second lockdown. Data: Public Health England. Graph: The Stray Ferret.

Daily cases peaked at 95 on November 9 in the district, before dropping to a low of 11 on November 21.

The seven-day average throughout the period also gradually decreased.

The rate hit a record high of 303 per 100,000 people on November 8, before dropping to 90 by the end of the restrictions.

Meanwhile, a total of 12 patients who tested positive for coronavirus died at Harrogate District Hospital during the period, according to NHS England figures.

“Relatively stable” figures

Since the end of the second lockdown, North Yorkshire has been placed in tier two of local restrictions.

The system is expected to be reviewed next week, although local public health bosses have cautioned against any of hope of a downgrade.

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Harrogate district’s daily cases have been low recently, with a further 20 cases confirmed today. It takes the total number since the start of the pandemic to 3,761.

Meanwhile, the latest seven-day average, which is for the week to December 5, stands at 93 per 100,000 people.

This morning Richard Webb, director of adult care at North Yorkshire County Council, told a media briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents key groups in the fight against covid, that case figures were “relatively stable”.

But he said they were still higher than he would like and the county needed to continue to get them down.

North Yorkshire tier downgrade next week unlikely, say health chiefs

North Yorkshire’s leading public health experts have cautioned against hopes the county could be downgraded to tier one before Christmas.

The government is due to review the tier system next week.

North Yorkshire, which is in tier two, has a seven-day average infection rate of 103 people per 100,000. This is considerably below the England average of 151.

The Harrogate district’s average is even lower at 93. It fell sharply in the second half of November but has stabilised lately.

Some local areas have seen virtually no infections for weeks but pubs and restaurants have stayed shut because of the tier restrictions.

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This morning Richard Webb, director of adult care at North Yorkshire County Council, told a media briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents key groups in the fight against covid, that case figures were “relatively stable”.

But he said they were still higher than he would like and the county needed to continue to get them down.

Mr Webb said:

“I suspect we may well see caution prevail just simply because everyone is worried about a spike in the New Year.

“But, let’s see. It is all to play for.”

Meanwhile, Dr Lincoln Sergeant, director of public health at the council, said he hoped the county will be downgraded after Christmas.

He added the county needed to get infections down.

Dr Sergeant said:

“It’s important for us to keep the momentum going. I think we can aim for getting to tier one, it’s certainly within possibility if we keep momentum going and if we keep working together.

“But we should not be disappointed if that doesn’t happen before Christmas.”

The briefing also revealed seven sites across North Yorkshire are expected to start offering the coronavirus vaccine from next week.

North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, the body which buys medical services in the county, said it will reveal the location of the sites once they are finalised.

Harrogate district set to get first covid vaccine injections next week

The first covid vaccines in North Yorkshire will be injected at seven sites across the county next week, it was revealed today.

Amanda Bloor, accountable officer at North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, gave the news everyone has been waiting to hear at a weekly media briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents all the organisations in the county responding to the pandemic.

Ms Bloor said the sites had been identified but did not reveal where they are.

She said the CCG, which buys medical services for the county, will provide further details when they are finalised.

Ms Bloor described the programme as a “logistical challenge”, but added that it was “fantastic news” that patients were starting to get the vaccine across the country.

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Planning for the vaccination programme is taking place on a regional level, including East Yorkshire, Hull and North Lincolnshire.

People included in the highest priority category, including those aged over 80 and front line NHS staff, will be the first to be offered the jab.

Ms Bloor said she anticipated that more sites will offer the vaccine in the coming weeks.

She said:

“We are currently in final planning for seven sites across North Yorkshire and York to people in North Yorkshire and York from next week.

“I do anticipate that more sites will come on stream in the following weeks and into the New Year.”

It comes as the first coronavirus vaccines were dispatched to 50 hospitals in the UK as the country embarks on the biggest vaccination programme in British history.

Each hospital received a batch of 975 doses. Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, which runs St James’s University Hospital, is the closest to offer the vaccine to Harrogate.

Sylvia Harris, an 80-year-old NHS healthcare worker who joined the trust when she was 26, was the first to receive the jab in the city yesterday.

Just 16 new coronavirus infections in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district’s daily coronavirus case figures remain low as just 16 new infections were confirmed by Public Health England today.

It takes the total number of infections in the district since the start of the pandemic to 3,741.

The latest seven-day average rate of infection, which is the rate up until December 4, stands at 93 per 100,000 people. It was 95 yesterday.

No further coronavirus deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital. The total number of deaths remains at 104.

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It comes as the UK embarked on the biggest vaccination programme in history today.

Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother, was the first to receive the jab at University Hospital Coventry this morning.

Later today Sylvia Harris, an 80-year-old health worker became the first to be given the jab at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds, which is the nearest hospital to Harrogate to have received vaccines so far.

North Yorkshire has yet to be given the green light to offer the jabs.

NHS worker becomes first to receive covid vaccine in Leeds

An 80-year-old NHS healthcare worker has become the first person to be administered a coronavirus vaccine at the closest hospital to the Harrogate district to receive the vaccine.

Sylvia Harris, who joined Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust when she was 26, received the jab this lunchtime at St James’s University Hospital just outside the city centre.

There is still no news on when people in the Harrogate district will be offered the vaccine.

Ms Harris, a ward housekeeper who is currently shielding at home, said:

“I miss all the people I work with. I’m so glad I’ve got it done.”

Fifty hospitals across the country have embarked on the biggest vaccination programme in British history. Each hospital received a batch of 975 doses.

On Saturday the NHS announced that a small number of GP practices will begin giving vaccines from December 14th.

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Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother, was the first person in the country to receive the jab at University Hospital Coventry this morning.

This lunchtime Sylvia Harris, 80-yr-old ward housekeeper, was the first of our colleagues to be vaccinated. Sylvia was 26 when she first joined LTHT. Currently shielding at home, she said; “I miss all the people I work with. I’m so glad I’ve got it done.” #CovidVaccine pic.twitter.com/I3pR6qjllA

— Leeds Teaching Hospitals (@LeedsHospitals) December 8, 2020

North Yorkshire still awaits the green light to offer appointments.

The Stray Ferret contacted Yorkshire Health Network, which represents 17 GP practices in Harrogate, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to ask if any residents in the district had been offered the vaccine, but has yet to receive a reply.

An update is expected at a press briefing tomorrow of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of emergency agencies.

Harrogate and District Community Action is set to offer drivers to transport people to vaccination appointments.

£4.1 million spent on PPE in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council has spent £4.1 million on personal protective equipment since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been revealed.

A report due before the authority’s audit committee next week said the council has distributed four million items of PPE to 67 different sites, including care homes.

Gary Fielding, corporate director of strategic resources, said in the report the authority had to spot purchase stock in the first weeks of the pandemic due to problems with the supply chain.

A total of 17% has been spent on suppliers in County Durham and Teesside.

Of the remainder, 40% was spent on national suppliers, 28% on local suppliers and 15% on regional suppliers.

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The council has distributed one million aprons and one million faces masks, with 282,000 items of PPE sent out on a weekly basis.

Mr Fielding said:

“The council never ran out of PPE at any point during the pandemic, and by the summer had secured stock to cover the council needs based on forecasted usage, up to the end of March 2021. 

“Currently the council holds around 8.4 million items of PPE in stock at a secure storage location”

It comes as the county council has estimated that the pandemic will cost the authority an additional £82 million this year.

This is due to an increase in spend on support for vulnerable residents and measures to combat covid, as well as lost income from council tax and business rates.

As a result, council bosses are considering increasing council tax by 1.99% next year, equivalent to a £27 rise, in an effort to plug its financial gap caused by the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the council had anticipated a funding gap of £186 million by next year due to austerity. However, it has since found £173 million in savings.

Now the authority needs to find £103 million over the next three years to cover loss of central government funding.

Officials have launched a consultation on the budget proposals, which people can take part in until January 11.

County council leader, Cllr Carl Les, has urged residents to take part.

He said:

“We want North Yorkshire to be a thriving county and pride ourselves on being a well-run authority, but the funding gaps in our budget create huge uncertainty. 

“I would encourage everyone to take part and let us know their views on our council plan priorities, setting council tax for next year and our longer term plans.”

£85,000 project to create a masterplan for Ripon’s future

Consultants are to be paid £85,000 to devise an “inspiring and innovative” vision for regenerating Ripon.

Harrogate Borough Council has advertised a 12-month contract to draw up a masterplan for the city.

The scheme, called the Ripon Renewal Project, will provide a framework for future development that also considers current initiatives, such as the regeneration of the former Ripon barracks.

Applicants have until December 22 to apply. Work is due to start on January 10 and last all of next year.

Whoever is appointed will be tasked with setting out “clear and robust” delivery timescales, funding options and a business case for the council to use to bid for money for projects.

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The contract brief says:

“The aim of this project is to maximise the opportunities within Ripon which will regenerate the city and boost the local economy.”

A computer generated image of the proposed Ripon Barracks site

A computer generated image of the proposed redevelopment of Ripon barracks.

The brief says the council will use its own funds as well as funding from York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and North Yorkshire County Council for the initiative.

Ripon has a population of about 16,000 people.

Plans for the 1,300-home re-development of the former Ripon barracks were submitted in September.

The development is a joint project between public bodies Homes England and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, which is part of the Ministry of Defence.

The planned homes will include a significant number of two and three-bedroom mid-range houses plus apartments.

The project also includes a community centre, employment space, shops, parkland, a new primary school and sports facilities.

Residents have raised concerns about issues such as transport and health.

 

Harrogate charity prepare to transport people to covid vaccinations

A Harrogate charity is preparing to lend its support to the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.

Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA) is set to offer drivers to transport people to vaccination appointments.

The drivers and other local volunteers will be part of what has been described by Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, as “one of the biggest civilian projects in history”.

The nearest site to have confirmed to have received the first wave of Pfizer vaccines is the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, whose hospitals include Leeds General Infirmary.   On Saturday the NHS announced that a small number of GP practices will then follow from December 14th.

HADCA is now preparing drivers and staff to help to provide transport for people who have no other means of transport to where ever the vaccines are being given.

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A spokesperson for the charity said:

“We are working hard to put everything in place to be ready to take people to have their vaccinations when they are called to do so.

“A small team of voluntary car drivers will offer transport to those passengers without other means of transport and who would be suitable to use our service.”

The charity said people would need to be able to get in and out of the back of a passenger vehicle independently in order to use the service.

Richard Flinton, chair of the North Yorkshire Resilience Forum, a partnership of emergency agencies, said earlier this week that it was supporting the NHS and local partners in preparing to offer the vaccine.

He said:

“Working together with all the partners, we will ensure that the facilities and resources, which are required to support the roll-out of vaccines, are in place here. We have a strong track record in North Yorkshire of responding well to emergencies and we are already driving forward these plans together at pace.

“A vaccine has been both long-awaited and anticipated, so whatever needs to be done will be done. This programme will be led by the NHS and we look forward to further information in the coming days.”

The government has said it expects vaccinations to start this week, with elderly people in care homes and care home staff among the highest priority.

A total of 800,000 doses are expected to be distributed, but it is unclear how many will be awarded to each local area.

Harrogate Town fans gear up for return to Envirovent Stadium

After nine months away, Harrogate Town fans are gearing up for a return to the Envirovent Stadium.

Football supporters have been absent from grounds since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with matches played behind closed doors.

For Town fans, it has meant missing out on the club’s promotion to the Football League for the first time.

Now, the club will welcome back a small amount of fans for the game against Forest Green Rovers tomorrow with social distancing measures in place.

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Jordan Ford, of the Harrogate Town Supporters Club, said he was “itching” to get back in the ground.

He said:

“It’s not the same watching it on TV and it will give us a chance to tell the players well done for last season.

“From a supporters club and all of our members point of view, I think the club have done a sterling job in getting everything sorted. Everything has been clear in terms of updates.”

The government gave the go ahead for fans to return to football grounds as the country returns to a tier system last week.

Saturday’s game will be a test event with around 450 season ticket deposit holders expected to attend.

However, no tickets will be available on general sale.

Only those in tier one or tier two areas will be able to attend the game, ruling out much of the areas surrounding North Yorkshire that are in tier three.

The club has introduced one way systems, hand sanitising areas and signage for spectators.

Ripon businessman ‘dismayed’ by council’s choice of contractor

A local businessman has criticised Harrogate Borough Council’s decision to choose a Somerset company to manage its investment in leisure services.

Jim Anderson, who runs Ripon metal recycling firm K A Anderson, said he was ‘utterly dismayed’ the council had not chosen a local company to handle the management of the project.

Mr Anderson said plenty of firms have had a hard time during the pandemic and it was wrong to award the contract to Somerset company Alliance Leisure.

Mr Anderson, whose business has been running for 40 years, said the contract should have gone to a local company.

He said:

“You see plenty of business struggling in Harrogate now.

“I just think there are lots of good local firms that could do the work. I think whatever the work, it should be given to them especially now.”

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Alliance Leisure will be tasked with progressing schemes, which include a refurbishment of Harrogate Hydro and a new leisure centre in Knaresborough, until they are ready to be constructed.

The company, which was awarded the contract without a competitive tender process, will be responsible for project management and business planning.

The contract does not include construction and the council has said the vast majority of the investment will be given to companies “within the region throughout the construction supply chain”.

An e-mail seen by the Stray Ferret from Michael Constantine, head of operations at the council, defended the decision to appoint Alliance Leisure.

It said:

“We are proposing to use Alliance Leisure as they have readily available, procurement compliant, specialist experience which, despite the range of local businesses in the borough, is not easily identifiable at a more local level. 

“Alliance Leisure have experience of working within region having recently assisted Hambleton District Council with a leisure redevelopment.”

The council borrowed £1.7 million for design and business cases for the scheme.

It is not known if this is the precise sum being paid to Alliance Services.

It comes as last week the council announced that its preferred site for the new leisure centre in Knaresborough was the existing leisure centre site on King James Road.

Senior councillors are expected to discuss the matter at a cabinet meeting next Wednesday (December 2).