The Harrogate district’s coronavirus infection rate has risen for six days in a row for the first time since last month, latest figures show.
The borough’s weekly rate has now climbed to 346 cases per 100,000 people in the first significant increase since mid-July when it reached record levels of 533.
After peaking at these heights, the rate fell steadily then “plateaued” around the 270 mark before this latest increase.
It comes as Harrogate hospital last week reported the death of a coronavirus patient for the first time in more than four months.
The death was reported on August 16 and brought the hospital’s toll since the pandemic began up to 180.
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Meanwhile, government guidelines on self-isolating have now changed with people who have been fully vaccinated no longer needing to self-isolate 14 days after their second dose.
Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“Despite the lifting of some restrictions on self-isolating, we ask that people are still mindful of others and remember the guidance that is still in place.
“This includes self-isolating and getting a PCR test if you have any Covid symptoms – even if you have had both doses of the vaccine – and continuing with basic but important hygiene measures such as hand washing.”
He added:
“In North Yorkshire, 514,000 people have now had their second dose of the vaccine and 75 per cent of 18 to 29 year olds have had their first dose of the vaccine.
“The vaccination of 16 and 17 year olds has also now begun with 18% in the county already vaccinated with their first dose. This is great progress and we hope to see this number climb even higher as weeks go on.”
Elsewhere in North Yorkshire, Ryedale has the highest weekly infection rate with 377 cases per 100,000 people, while Hambleton has the lowest in the county at 230.
