The number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital has fallen to single figures.
Amanda Bloor, chief accountable officer at North Yorkshire CCG, told a press briefing of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum today just six patients were now being treated at the hospital.
The number was stubbornly high in January and February, peaking at 68 on February 13.
But it has fallen sharply in recent weeks and has now more than halved from 13 last week.
The decline has enabled the hospital to re-open wards that had been allocated to covid patients.
Sixty-nine covid patients are being treated in hospitals serving North Yorkshire, which also includes York, South Tees and Scarborough.
Ms Bloor said:
“We continue to see that downward trend in the numbers. But we do need to continue to follow the national guidance.”
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The drop in numbers comes as covid vaccinations continue to be carried out in the district.
A letter from NHS England to hospital bosses across the country warned of a shortage of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine from next month.
However, Ms Bloor said health officials have been assured by government there will be enough supply to vaccinate all adults over-50 by April 15.
According to latest NHS England figures, 70,138 first doses have been administered in the Harrogate district so far.
Those over-50 and people with underlying health conditions are currently being invited to book a vaccine appointment.
