The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in North Yorkshire has surpassed 100 for the first time.

So far, three patients with coronavirus have died at the hospital and the number of confirmed cases in North Yorkshire is now at 108.

It comes just over two weeks since Harrogate District Hospital admitted its first COVID-19 patient.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence is in the process of converting the Harrogate Convention Centre into a ‘Nightingale’ hospital to fight the coronavirus crisis.

Across the UK there are 22,141 confirmed coronavirus cases with 1,408 deaths.

The Ministry of Defence is in the process of converting Harrogate Convention Centre into a ‘Nightingale’ hospital to fight the coronavirus crisis.

A source told The Stray Ferret that one hall is being turned into a ‘field hospital’ to help the NHS deal with the expected high pressure created by the growing number of cases.

Although full details have yet to be confirmed, an announcement is expected imminently by the government as part of its continuing escalation of measures against the coronavirus outbreak. Three temporary ‘Nightingale’ hospitals have already been announced – in London, Manchester and Birmingham – with more understood to be in the planning stages.

It is understood that the hospital at the convention centre could be up and running within a week.

The Head of Care Services for Harrogate Neighbours, which runs two care homes in the district, said she was made to feel like a criminal when she went to Sainsbury’s on Wetherby Road during special opening hours to buy food for the residents.

Denise McEvoy (pictured above) said she and a small group of care workers from other organisations -all with ID badges and letters –arrived at the store on Friday at 7.30am but were refused entry. Only NHS staff were being allowed in. When Denise insisted on being allowed to enter, the security guard called a second security guard who then called a supervisor who then called a second supervisor before Denise was allowed in. She said, by this time, the other care workers had left in disgust.

“I was furious. As care workers I feel we are undervalued. I was made to feel like a shoplifter, standing there being questioned, whilst NHS staff were allowed in. I refused point blank to leave and finally they let me in”.

Harrogate Neighbours runs Heath Lodge Care Home and The Cuttings – it’s a not for profit organisation that looks after a total of 90 residents who’s average is in the mid 80s.  Management said the staff are working flat out to protect their residents — washing everything that is brought into the homes and will be touched by residents. They are down on staff with 7 members of their team self-isolating.

Staff are even cleaning any cash that is brought into the homes to protect residents

Harrogate Neighbours CEO Sue Cawthray, said she feels the government isn’t fully recognising the contribution of care workers:

“The NHS is vital and the work its staff do is fantastic but we are doing our best to protect vulnerable people and stop them being admitted to hospital. We are doing our utmost and I don’t think it is right that staff in the care sector are often referred to as “unskilled” by the government”.

• Earlier today, Richard Webb, Director of Health and Adult Services at North Yorkshire County Council, praised the efforts of local people to support each other. 

In a statement Sainsbury’s apologised:

“ We are reserving half an hour from 7:30am – 8am from Monday to Saturday in all of our supermarkets to support NHS and social care workers. To help us dedicate this time entirely to these customers, we are asking them to bring a pass or some form of ID with them. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope our Wetherby Road store is able to welcome the group back into store soon.”

The Stray Ferret has learnt that Jack Wills on James Street in Harrogate will not be re-opening after the coronavirus crisis.

The clothing brand, which was founded in Salcombe in Devon, was bought by Mike Ashley in an auction for £12.7m last year.  Mr Ashley bought the retail chain out of administration after competing against Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group. The brand now forms part of Frasers Group

James Street which is seen as Harrogate’s most prestigious retail street, has seen a steady loss of major retailers over recent years – Next, Austin Reed, Swarovski, Cath Kidston and now Jack Wills.  Next moved to the Victoria Shopping Centre and the space is now filled with a discount store. Swarovski closed in February this year.

The Harrogate store is one a number of Jack Wills stores across the UK to close.

The social care system is playing its part in fighting the coronavirus outbreak – and needs the whole community to continue to do so too. 

That is the message from Richard Webb, Director of Health and Adult Services at North Yorkshire County Council, who praised the efforts of local people to support each other. 

“I think that’s fantastic, the way people are offering their support,” he said. “It’s not only practical stuff, it’s things to keep people well. Mental health is really important.

“That’s where particularly volunteers and community support will help. If you know some people are isolated, ring them every day and keep in touch. Help arrange their shopping or just have a chat.”

Mr Webb, pictured, said he had been impressed by organisations doing their bit to keep families busy and individuals’ spirits high. This week, Harrogate Theatre has been showing its pantomime online for free, while Harrogate International Festivals – of which he is a trustee – has plans to do more too. 

While neighbours can look out for each other, Mr Webb is working with care providers and other organisations to look after 70,000 people in the community across North Yorkshire, many of whom are vulnerable to coronavirus because of their age or health conditions. 

As has been widely reported with the NHS, there is huge strain on social care too, with personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer in high demand around the world. Social care providers and supporting organisations across the Harrogate district are working harder than ever to ensure they meet the needs of their service users. 

“It’s a time of huge challenge for everyone,” said Mr Webb. “We’re working really closely with them, trying to make sure we have enough availability of care.  

“They will have people going off sick and self-isolating as so many are, so we need to make sure there are enough people to go around. We’re using mutual aid, so if people haven’t got enough staff for one service, we can help by moving them across from elsewhere.” 

With so much strain already on social care, as well as the NHS, Mr Webb said he does not expect the situation to be quickly resolved. 

“I think it’s too early to say [how long it will last],” he said. “Boris Johnson said we will review it in three weeks, but the NHS is cancelling routine operations for 12 weeks.  

“The worst might be over by then, but we need to be prepared for it to last for some time yet. In other countries, it’s taking some time. That’s why it’s really important people stay in and help prevent it spreading.” 

As a resident of Harrogate, Mr Webb said residents are fortunate to have outdoor spaces to exercise and still be able to keep their distance from each other. He said it was vital for people to remember the basic advice, including continuing to wash hands thoroughly and regularly. 

“I want to say thank you to everyone, for all they’re doing to support each other and to work with us. If there are changes to health and social care because we’re dealing with this, please bear with us.  

“And please stay home, stay safe and keep your distance.” 

The NHS figures this lunchtime show that a third patient has died at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust whilst the number of positive coronavirus cases in North Yorkshire has risen to 75 – up 6 from Friday. The patient died yesterday.

At present, most patients are only tested if they are admitted to hospital with severe symptoms, so figures do not include people who have symptoms but are able to stay at home.

An NHS England statement which released today said of all the deaths:

Patients were aged between 39 and 105 years old and all but 4 patients (aged between 57 and 87 years old) had underlying health conditions.

Their families have been informed.

The Spirit of Masham has tweeted an urgent call for plastic bottles after it switched production from gin to hand sanitiser to help prevent the spread of  coronavirus.

We URGENTLY need more of these plastic hand sanitiser bottles to provide to the @NHSuk & other #KeyWorkerJobs
Can you help? 50cl or 100cl@BootsUK @superdrug
We have the product ready, just need more bottles. PLEASE HELP 🙌🏼🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/7F7iUFXQbJ

— Spirit of Masham (@spiritofmasham) March 28, 2020

The Masham distillery is not the only gin company in the district that has turned from making gin to hand sanitiser. Harrogate Tipple in Ripley which makes Harrogate Gin lobbied the Treasury to remove duty from alcohol so it could make the sanitiser cheaply and provide it at-cost to health workers, the emergency services and community care organisations. It too has struggled to source plastic bottles.

The Harrogate Tipple distillery production manager Andrea Natiello and co-founder Sally Green, Ripon

For a little light relief this Sunday here are two Harrogate residents who have tried online shopping for the first time.

As many people will experience as they start to get to grips with online deliveries, they didn’t quite receive what they thought they’d ordered……

Staff from the day surgery unit at Harrogate District Hospital have recorded an emotional video message in response to the clap for carers phenomenon.

In the video, they give a poignant rendition of the song I’ll Stand By You with the following message:

“Harrogate day surgery unit will stand by you. Stay in, stay home, stay safe.”

That message comes after people right across the Harrogate district stepped outside their doors at 8pm on Thursday evening to “clap for our carers.”

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in North Yorkshire has risen by almost 40 per cent in one day, according to Public Health England.

The organisation reported there were 69 cases in the county on Friday, compared to 50 the day before.

At present, most patients are only tested if they are admitted to hospital with severe symptoms, so figures do not include people who have symptoms but are able to stay at home. There are no specific figures for the Harrogate district, but two people have died at Harrogate District Hospital after testing positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, local authorities, police and other landowners including Yorkshire Water have asked the public to stay at home and not travel to popular tourism destinations and beauty spots this weekend.

It follows large crowds seen at locations including Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs last weekend. Good weather on Mother’s Day is believed to have contributed to people looking for places to meet family outdoors, leading to further curbs on activities by the government from last Monday evening.

North Yorkshire Police have now set up check-points to ensure anyone travelling is only doing so for essential reasons, such as key workers going to work or individuals going to buy food. They say they will be issuing fines of up to £1,000 for anyone caught flouting the rules.