The R number has fallen below one in the Harrogate district for the first time since the second wave of the pandemic took off.
The number has fallen to 0.9 — anything below one means the spread of the virus is declining.
Infection rates have fallen dramatically in the second half of November and are now lower than they were at the start of lockdown.
Public Health England confirmed another 36 infections in the district today.
However, leading public health figures suggested at a media briefing today of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of agencies that tackles emergencies, the county could be put in tier two or even tier three tomorrow.
However, the national government will decide.
Such a move would devastate many pubs that do not serve substantial meals, as they would be unable to open.
Read more:
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Today’s briefing also revealed Harrogate District Hospital currently has 31 covid patients, which is four more than last week.
North Yorkshire as a whole has 272 covid patients. There were 302 at the peak of the first wave of the pandemic in spring.
No deaths were reported at Harrogate District Hospital today. However, there were four in the previous three days, bringing the total to 98.
A total of 54 care homes in the county currently have covid outbreaks.
Pupil attendance in schools is 87 per cent.
Central Harrogate has had the most positive cases in the Harrogate district in the last seven days, with 23.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Pateley Bridge and Nidd Valley has had none.
