Harrogate district reports 280 cases after Christmas outage

The Harrogate district has reported a record 280 covid cases, according to the latest daily government figures.

The number is the highest recorded in the district since the UK Health Security Agency started reporting figures in March 2020.

However, daily case reporting has resumed today after the coronavirus dashboard was paused for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Figures show 98,515 cases have been recorded in the UK as the Omicron variant continues to spread.

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Meanwhile, UK Health Security Agency figures show that a total of 100,234 booster and third vaccines have been given in the Harrogate district so far.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

Latest available figures show 13 covid patients are being treated at Harrogate District Hospital – an increase from eight last week.

Covid postpones Harrogate Town’s second festive fixture

A coronavirus outbreak in the Mansfield Town squad has forced the English Football League (EFL) to postpone the second of Harrogate Town’s festive fixtures.

Harrogate Town were due to welcome in-form Mansfield Town to the EnviroVent Stadium on Wednesday, December 29.

It is unclear at this stage when the game between 11th place Harrogate Town and 9th place Mansfield Town, will be played out.

Town’s away clash with Bradford City which was scheduled for Boxing Day was also postponed due to coronavirus cases in the rival’s squad.

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A spokesperson for the EFL said:

“Mansfield Town’s forthcoming Sky Bet League Two fixture against Harrogate Town on Wednesday 29 December has been postponed.

“Mansfield informed the EFL that it would be unable to fulfil the fixture at the EnviroVent Stadium due to a number of positive COVID-19 cases in their squad.

“In light of the increased transmission rate of the Omicron variant, the EFL will now review the circumstances surrounding the postponement.

“In addition, it will assist affected clubs throughout this challenging period to help them mitigate against the risk of infection amongst players and staff, while ensuring their obligations to the EFL regulations are maintained.”

Town are next due to play Port Vale on New Year’s Day

Former Healthwatch chair calls on Harrogate District Hospital to allow visitors

A former chair of Healthwatch North Yorkshire has described the suspension of visitors to hospitals in Harrogate and Ripon as a “scandal” and called for the decision to be reversed.

NHS Harrogate and District Foundation Trust introduced the measure yesterday at Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital due to the threat of the Omicron variant.

Visitors are now only allowed for patients on end of life care, or if a patient has a learning disability or severe cognitive impairment like dementia. Parents or carers of children and birthing partners are also permitted.

Ripon Community Hospital, Firby Lane

Ripon Community Hospital, Firby Lane

It means that many patients will not be able to see their families and loved ones on Christmas Day.

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Chris Brackley, who lives in Harrogate and stepped down in October as chair of Healthwatch, which gives patient feedback to NHS leaders so services can be improved, told the Stray Ferret:

“Harrogate and District Foundation Trust needs to reverse these measures immediately. They are unfair and an absolute scandal.

“If necessary bring in the requirement for visitors to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test. It may not be popular but it would be far better to give people that option.

“From the data I have seen I see no reason to bring in restriction on visitors. We at least need a date for when these measures are going to be under review.

“These new measures were communicated poorly and will leave many alone this Christmas, like my 91-year-old mother in law who fell at home and is suffering with a fractured pelvis.”

 

Harrogate District Hospital.

Mr Brackley added that he believed the number of unvaccinated frontline staff at Harrogate and District Foundation Trust posed a greater coronavirus risk than visitors, who could have had three vaccinations.

Decision ‘not taken lightly’

Last month the Stray Ferret reported that there were believed to be 450 unvaccinated frontline health staff at the trust, although that number is likely to have been reduced.

The Stray Ferret asked the trust to comment on Mr Brackley’s views.

Emma Nunez, executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at the trust, said:

“This decision has not been taken lightly and it is one which trust’s across the country are having to consider. Many trusts already restrict visiting and others are currently considering putting similar restrictions in place.

“We understand that this will be disappointing for people who have a loved one in our care, and we apologise for any upset that this will cause, but we have had to take this difficult decision to protect both our patients and our staff.

“We will be reviewing our visitor arrangements regularly and we will look to relax visiting restrictions at the earliest opportunity.”

‘Terrifying but rewarding’: Harrogate home carer reflects on another covid year

A Harrogate home carer has said working through a pandemic for 20 months has been some of the hardest months she’s had to face.

Throughout the pandemic home carers have continued to go into the homes of the vulnerable even if covid was present. One of those is Rachel Yarwood,  an assistant manager at St Margaret’s Homecare, which assists people in their homes in and around Harrogate.

She said coronavirus has meant her job can be both “terrifying and rewarding”.

Working through different tiers in full PPE has not been easy for anyone on the frontline, but Ms Yarwood said she felt home carers in particular were the “forgotten group”.

She said doing 17-18 calls a day while trying to bathe people was extremely tough. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, the St Margaret’s staff were making aprons out of car seat covers to prevent them running out.

“The NHS have been amazing but we have worked hard too to keep people out of hospital and at home.

“It’s been extremely hard at times. I remember having a chat with my daughter at the beginning giving her instructions on how to look after my other two kids in case I got it because back then we didn’t know how bad it would be.”

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For many of the clients, Ms Yarwood and her team were the only people they were seeing for a long time. She said “we became like family”.

“Some were really depressed at times. It was really hard to see some of them deteriorate and feel so lonely.”

Looking ahead to next year, Ms Yarwood said:

“We aren’t becoming complacent, we know covid isn’t going anywhere. But we are much more prepared now. We’ll just keep pulling together as a team.”

The November image from the charity calendar

Ms Yarwood and her team have also been photographed for a charity calendar to raise money for Mind. She said the ‘Covid Calendar Girls’ calendar came about after seeing the impact of isolation on clients.

She said:

“We just wanted to do out bit and it was a lot of fun. I hope it makes a few people smile and more importantly raises money for Mind.”

To find out more and support the calendar appeal, click here.

Harrogate hospital will be open for vaccinations on Christmas

With the government calling for everyone to “get boosted now”, we’re running this regularly-updated blog to let you know where you can get your jab in the Harrogate district.

Besides the GP-run sites at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground and Ripon Races, numerous pharmacies are also now offering boosters and covid vaccines. Some also have an option for under 18s.

If you work at one of these sites, or have recently visited for your own vaccination, please let us know about any update,s such as queues and supply issues.

Get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Where to get your vaccine:

Harrogate 

Knaresborough

Pateley Bridge 

Ripon

Friday, December 24

9am – Get a jab at Harrogate showground this morning only

The vaccine centre in Harrogate will be open until 12.30pm today. It’s the last chance to get a jab until the New Year.

Walk-ins are available. First, second, third primary and boosters available for all ages over 12.

Ripon Racecourse is closed as a vaccine centre until the New Year.

8.30am – Harrogate hospital open for jabs on Christmas

Harrogate District Hospital is open for booked appointments only over the Christmas period, including Christmas Day, as other centres close temporarily.

There are no walk-ins available at the hospital.

Thursday, December 23

4pm – Last chance for jabs before Christmas

Knaresborough Chain Lane Hub is open for walk-ins until 8pm today. It will then reopen on December 28 at 8am.

Harrogate Showground has now closed for walk-ins today, some appointments remain until 5pm. It will reopen tomorrow for the morning until 12.30pm. It won’t reopen until January 4.

Ripon Racecourse also closes today at 5pm and won’t reopen until January 4.

10am – Walks ins available today ahead of Christmas

There are still walk-ins available today across the Harrogate district ahead of the Christmas break when vaccine centres will close.

The Yorkshire Event Centre site is experiencing a “very quiet morning” so those running it will be able to welcome walk-ins, including those under 18.

The site at Ripon Racecourse is open today for both booked appointments and walk-in patients for those over 12. It will be open until 5pm.

Knaresborough’s vaccine centre at the Chain Lane Community Centre is also open for walk-in patients until 8pm today.

Wednesday, December 22

9am – Christmas opening hours in Harrogate

The vaccine centre in Harrogate, which reported no queues all day yesterday, has revealed its Christmas opening hours.

The schedule for today and tomorrow is:

Booked appointments 08:30 – 16:55
Walk-in 18 and over 09:00 – 16:00
Walk-in 12-17 year olds 09:00 – 16:00

Christmas Eve is open to all patients 08:30 – 12:30.

Then the vaccine centre will be closed until 2022 with clinics starting up again for appointments on January 4.

8.45am – Ripon Racecourse open for vaccinations

Ripon Racecourse is open today for both booked appointments and walk-in patients. All age groups 12 years and above. It is the same tomoroww until 5pm.

Tuesday, December 21

2.20pm – Great Yorkshire Showground reporting quiet queues

Staff at the Great Yorkshire Showground vaccination site are reporting quiet queues for walk-in and pre-booked appointments.

The site is also accepting under-18s for walk-in vaccines all afternoon.

1.15pm – Harrogate District Hospital vaccination site to be open on evenings

Hospital bosses have confirmed that Harrogate District Hospital’s vaccination site will be open on an evening for pre-booked appointments.

Those wishing to have a vaccine at the site have to book through the NHS national booking service. No walk-in appointments are available.

The vaccination centre, which offers up to 24 appointments an hour, will be open daily Monday to Friday 4pm – 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am – 2pm and selected bank holidays 8am – 2pm.

However, the site will be closed from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day and on New Years Eve and New Years Day. It will also be closed on January 3.

A spokesperson for the hospital said:

“We are very proud of our colleagues who are supporting this as part of the huge national drive to ensure everyone can be boosted to protect themselves and others.”

8.15am – Ripon Racecourse open all day for appointments and walk-ins

Ripon Racecourse vaccine centre is open until 4pm today for booked appointments and walk-in patients.

All age groups over 12 are welcome.

8.10am – 1,700 vaccinations delivered at Harrogate Showground yesterday

Yesterday was a busy day at the Showground, with walk-ins and people with booked appointments getting their vaccines alongside under 18s.
The centre said it did just short of 1,700 vaccinations and the longest walk-in wait time was 45 mins.
Today’s schedule:
The centre has asked everyone to come prepared with their NHS number to hand, you can find it here, and anyone with an appointment to have their booking reference number.

8am – More clinics for 12-15s in Knaresborough

The vaccine centre at Chain Lane Community Hub has added more vaccine clinics for 12-15 year olds.
The clinics will offer first and second doses and be open tomorrow and Thursday and then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week plus all Sundays in January (apart from the January 2).
The centre has asked for people to try and book via the national booking system.

Monday, December 20

11am – Knaresborough vaccine centre aims to give out 1,500 jabs today

Homecare Pharmacy Services, which runs the vaccination centre at Chain Lane Community Hub, is planning to give out 1,500 jabs today.

Walk in sessions will be available from tomorrow 8am to 8pm and then again at the same time on Wednesday.

The vaccine team has asked for people to be patient if they have to queue and to bring their NHS number to speed up the process.

9am – Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground offering walk-ins for children today

The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate is accepting walk-in patients and booked patients for booster jabs this week.

Children aged 12 to 17 will also be able to turn-up for walk-in vaccines at the showground from 1.30pm to 4.30pm today and from 9am to 12.30pm tomorrow.

Ripon racecourse, which was not open yesterday. re-opens today.

Saturday, December 18

2.15pm – Queues expected to remain quiet at Harrogate’s Yorkshire Showground

Vaccine staff at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground are expecting queues for walk-in booster jabs to remain quiet for the remainder of the day.

The site is still accepting walk-ins. Those looking to turn up at the showground without an appointment for a vaccine have until 4pm to do so.

12.30pm – Pateley Bridge vaccination centre reaches milestone

Pharmacist Samina Khan receives recognition from the Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Mike Holt.

Pharmacist Samina Khan receives recognition from the Mayor of Pateley Bridge, Mike Holt.

Today, Pateley Bridge’s vaccination clinic is expecting to have seen its 10,000th patient.

The centre, which is run by Pateley Bridge pharmacy, was recognised by the mayor of the town for the efforts of vaccination staff, admin staff and volunteers.

10.15am – No queues at Yorkshire Showground

There are no queues for walk-ins at the Great Yorkshire Showground, according to staff at the site.

Those wishing to get a booster vaccine today are urged to attend the site before 4pm.

8.30am – Harrogate vaccine sites prepare for another day of boosters

Booster vaccine walk-ins are available at the Yorkshire Showground and at other sites, as listed above.

The showground site is fully booked for appointments and has advised people to have booking references ready. The site will be offering Moderna today.

For those deciding to walk-in, people should have their NHS number with them. Capacity for walk-ins has increased, so officials expect a “first thing” rush before queue times decrease.

Those planning for a walk-in booster vaccine are urged to get to the site before 4pm.

Friday, December 17

1.50pm No queues at showground for walk-ins

The lunchtime rush is over at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, according to staff on site, and any walk-ins this afternoon can expect to be seen quickly.

12.50pm Harrogate Hospital on NHS booking site for boosters

Harrogate District Hospital has appeared on the NHS booking site this afternoon for booster appointments.

It looks as if appointments are available from Wednesday, December 22.

12pm Knaresborough centre opens up for walk-ins

The vaccine site at Chain Lane Community Hub has said it has additional capacity today and will open as a walk-in.

It is open until 6pm.

9.15am Ripon vaccine site open for walk-ins

Ripon Racecourse has reopened as a vaccine centre and will operate a walk-in service alongside its appointments today and tomorrow.

People can head there for a booster throughout the next two days. Staff ask people have their NHS number to hand.

9am Harrogate Showground expecting another day with minimal queues

Staff at the Showground vaccine centre has said following a rush this morning the centre has quietened down.

It is expecting another day with minimal queues and encourages as many people as possible to get their booster before Christmas.

7.30am Knaresborough vaccine centre to offer walk-ins next week

The Chain Lane Community Hub vaccine site will begin offering walk-ins at certain times next week.

Run by Homecare Pharmacy, the centre will offer walk-ins on:

People may need to queue.

Read more:

District pharmacies offering vaccines and boosters

Appointments are available on the NHS app for Thursday December 16 and Friday December 17 8am-6pm, Saturday December 18 8am-3pm, December 20 to 23 8am-8pm, December 28 to 30 8am-8pm and December 31 8am-3pm.

*Some of these dates have been extended today so new appointments are now online to book.

Appointments are available on the NHS app for Saturday December 18 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm, Tuesday December 21st 8am-1pm and Thursday December 30 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.

Appointments are available on the NHS app for Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 5.45pm

Appointments are available on the NHS app Monday to Sunday 9am-1pm, 2pm-4pm and 5pm-6.30pm

Currently full until New Year but has staff said if people don’t show up for their appointment they can offer it to someone else. They advised people to ring on the day to see what’s available.

Currently full until New Year

No information available at the time

No information available at the time

Waiting on vaccine supply, keep an eye on our covid coverage for more information.

Waiting for official approval then clinic appointments will be made available online. Keep an eye on our covid coverage for more information.

Harrogate and Ripon hospitals restrict visitors due to Omicron

The NHS Trust running Harrogate and Ripon’s hospitals has said visitors will only be allowed onto wards in exceptional circumstances due to the threat of the Omicron variant.

Officials at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said the “highly transmissible” nature of the variant has meant it must bring in new measures.

The new rules will come into place on December 23 and will mean visitors will only be allowed onto wards in certain circumstances.

The exceptions are:

The changes also apply to people coming for outpatient appointments. Patients won’t be bale to bring someone with them unless it is they are a parent of a child or a carer.

Emma Nunez, executive director of nursing, midwifery & allied health professionals at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“This decision has not been taken lightly. We understand that this will be disappointing for people who have a loved one in our care, and we apologise for any upset that this will cause, but we have had to take this difficult decision to protect both our patients and our staff.

“We will be reviewing our visitor arrangements regularly and we will look to relax visiting restrictions at the earliest opportunity.”

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The hospital has had to make this decision before in previous covid peaks and says, once again, it must make the safety of patients and staff a priority.

The trust also emphasised the need for everyone to get behind the vaccine and booster roll-out. It said nearly 90% of its staff have had a first and second dose.

A vaccination centre has been set up at Harrogate hospital as part of the acceleration of the booster vaccine programme. Appointments can be booked on the NHS website.

Harrogate district covid case rate rises above 500

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate jumped above 500 today to stand at 518 infections per 100,000 people.

The infection rate, which was last seen at current levels almost four weeks ago, has risen by 25% in the last three days.

However, it still remains considerably lower than the England average of 844 but slightly above the North Yorkshire average of 471.

Harrogate District Hospital has reported another death from a patient who tested positive for coronavirus.

According to NHS England figures, the death was recorded on December 16.

Today, the district reported 141 covid cases.

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A total of 92,912 people in the district have received either booster or third doses of the covid vaccine.

If you want to know where to go for your covid vaccine or booster, keep checking our vaccine blog for updates on those open.

Omicron: Harrogate district covid rate up by a quarter in three days

Harrogate’s Covid infection rate has jumped by more than 25% in just three days amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

The weekly rate per 100,000 people currently stands at 476 – up sharply from 376.

This equates to around 110 new cases per day and comes as people are being urged to think carefully about social events this Christmas as a further rise in infections is expected.

Richard Webb, director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council, said the area was now facing a “race against time” to prepare for a similar surge in cases seen in other areas of the country.

“If we follow previous patterns, and what’s happening in London, it won’t be long before we are seeing high numbers of Omicron cases here in North Yorkshire.

“Even the most optimistic Government modelling is now projecting many more cases in January and February and we face the possibility of many more hospital admissions and sadly many more deaths.

“Living with Covid means responding quickly to deal with a new variant. We need to act now to buy time”.

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Mr Webb also said people should take a lateral flow test before mixing socially and that getting a booster vaccine remained the best line of defence.

The vaccination programme has been rapidly accelerated in recent weeks with firefighters now being drafted in to deliver doses at sites across North Yorkshire.

James Manning, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue group manager, said:

“This is an urgent situation and the time involved is substantial in getting these vaccines where they need to be.

“For this reason the key agencies have come together to provide the best possible service to people”.

In Harrogate, vaccines are being made available by appointments and walk-ins at several pharmacy sites as well as Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground and Ripon Racecourse.

Covid rate surges in Harrogate district as jab clinics open for children

The covid rate increased significantly in the Harrogate district today in another sign that the Omicron variant is beginning to have an impact.

The seven-day rate leapt from 419 per 100,000 people to 476. It was 383 two days ago. It comes after another 144 daily infections were reported by NHS England.

The rate remains considerably lower than the England average of 783 but slightly above the North Yorkshire average of 444.

Harrogate West and Pannal Ash, which has had 57 confirmed cases in the last seven days, is the district’s current covid hotspot.

A total of 91,569 people in the district have received either booster or third doses of the covid vaccine.

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The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate will accept walk-in patients and booked patients for booster jabs tomorrow this week.

Children aged 12 to 17 will also be able to turn-up for walk-in boosters at the showground from 1.30pm to 4.30pm tomorrow and from 9am to 12.30pm on Tuesday.

Ripon racecourse, which was not open today. is due to administer more jabs tomorrow.

Harrogate district covid rate jumps for first time since Omicron

The seven-day covid rate of infection in the Harrogate district has increased from 383 per 100,000 to 419 in the first significant increase since Omicron.

A further 158 cases were reported in today’s government figures.

Until today, the district had not appeared to have been affected by the rapid increase in infections that have hit other parts of the county.

Across the county, the average stands at 426 and the England rate has soared to 723.

Today’s figures also reveal more than 85,000 booster and third vaccines have been administered in the district.

UK Health Security Agency figures show that a total of 85,929 booster and third vaccines have been given so far.

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No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

Latest available figures show eight covid patients are being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.