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Sept 2020

Last Updated: 09/09/2020

Call for 'greater vigilance' amid Harrogate covid increase

by Calvin Robinson

| 09 Sept, 2020

North Yorkshire's public health bosses issued the plea as it identifies the Harrogate district, along with Selby and Scarborough, as areas that have seen significant rises in infections in the county.

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North Yorkshire public health bosses have urged greater vigilance following an increase in coronavirus cases across the county, including in Harrogate.

The county council issued a statement today saying there had been a "significant rise in cases during the last week, particularly among young people".

The statement added that "increases have been seen across the county, but particularly in the Selby, Scarborough and Harrogate districts".

Between September 1 and 7 the Harrogate district saw 28 new cases.

Infections, however, remain low compared with areas such as Leeds, which is on the government's covid watchlist.

A total of 825 cases have been confirmed in Harrogate since the start of the pandemic, a cumulative rate of 513 per 100,000. This compares with a total of 5,021 cases in Leeds at a rate of 633 per 100,000 population.

The council's plea today comes as the government is expected to formally announce a ban on social gatherings of more than six people from Monday.

The new rule will prohibit people gathering indoors and outdoors, but with exceptions for weddings, funerals, christenings and workplaces.

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Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said:

“We are seeing an escalation in the number of cases. While this remains lower than in some neighbouring towns and cities, such as Middlesbrough and Leeds, there is no room for complacency.

“Now is the time that we must all follow the guidance to protect ourselves and each other. We don’t want people to be over-anxious, but everyone needs to be vigilant. The sacrifices people have made during the pandemic were outstanding and we must all stick to the guidance to avoid a second spike."

Meanwhile, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, the council's director of public health, called for people to limit unnecessary interactions.

He said:

“Avoid socialising outside of your social bubbles. In going about daily activities observe social distancing guidance and wear face coverings where it is not possible to maintain two metre social distance.

“We know some establishments have chosen to close as a precaution. We do not routinely recommend closure of a business unless this is necessary to prevent ongoing transmission linked to that business.

“However, some businesses may choose to close temporarily to implement additional safety measures, including cleaning, or because staff members are self-isolating."

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Call for 'greater vigilance' amid Harrogate covid increase

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