Just 23 covid infections today as R number falls to 0.8

Just 23 coronavirus infections for the Harrogate district have been announced today by Public Health England.

The figure is well below the record 95 that occurred on November 9 and continues the recent sharp downward trend.

In more good news, the district’s R number, which refers to the rate of spread of the virus, has once again fallen, from 0.9 to 0.8.

It means every 10 people with covid will infect eight, so the virus is declining in the district as a whole.

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The seven-day average rate of infection has fallen to 128 per 100,000 people. It was over 300 three weeks ago.

The England average is 188 and the North Yorkshire average is 164.

Harrogate was placed in tier two restrictions today but this will be reviewed in two weeks time.

R number falls below 1 in the Harrogate district

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.

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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.

Ripon coronavirus testing site opens

A mobile coronavirus testing site opened in Ripon today for the first time.

The small-scale site will be open at the coach park near the bus station on a weekly basis. The Stray Ferret understands it will be there every Wednesday.

Ripon has some of the lowest coronavirus infection rates in the district, but this will prevent people travelling out of the city for a test.

Tests must be booked in advance on the government website. Those who do so then must arrive in a vehicle, which will protect staff from infection.

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Victoria Turner, public health consultant at North Yorkshire County Council, revealed the news at a press briefing today.

The county council said last week it had been scoping a location for the mobile testing unit.

If you have coronavirus symptoms, you can book a test on the government website.

Will falling covid rate save Harrogate district from tier 2?

Covid rates in the Harrogate district and North Yorkshire overall are continuing to fall sharply — but will it be enough to prevent the county moving into tier two restrictions next week?

Public Health England reported just 21 infections for the district today, which followed 11 announced yesterday.

The district’s seven-day average rate of infections is now 157 per 100,000 people — about half of what it was a fortnight ago.

North Yorkshire’s current rate is 196. The England rate is 207.

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The government is due to reveal on Thursday which tiers each area will be in.

It would appear North Yorkshire is likely to be in tier one or tier two — and the difference between the two is vast.

In tier one, pubs and restaurants can open with table service; in tier two, they can only open if they serve substantial meals and there is no household mixing indoors.

The decision could therefore determine whether many hospitality businesses stay open — and possibly even survive.

Harrogate and Knaresborough libraries partially reopen

Harrogate and Knaresborough libraries are set to resume their reduced lockdown services this week.

The libraries closed last week after a member of staff in each one tested positive for covid.

The buildings have been given a deep clean and staff who needed to have self-isolated.

Harrogate library will resume services tomorrow and Knaresborough is expected to be back in operation on Saturday.

Library members will be able to use the select and collect service, which allows them to order books by phone or email and pick them up from the library entrance.

Library computers will also be available for essential use, but must be booked in advance.

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Harrogate will open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays and from 10am to 2pm on Saturday.

Knaresborough will open from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Saturday, 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.30am to 1.30pm on Thursday and 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 7pm on Friday.

North Yorkshire county councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said:

“We have robust safety measures in place, including collecting contact tracing details, strictly limited numbers and plentiful hand sanitiser, so customers can continue to use our select and collect and to book public computer sessions with confidence.”

All libraries in the county are currently closed for browsing.

Harrogate district covid infections hit five-week low

The Harrogate district’s hopes of being in the lowest tier of restrictions when lockdown ends in 10 days time received a boost today when just 28 covid infections were reported.

The figure, from Public Health England, is the lowest since the 26 positive cases on October 18.

Infections soared after then and were well above the national average this month until a considerable recent slowdown.

Just 31 were reported yesterday.

The R number, which refers to the virus’ reproduction rate, was 1.6 a fortnight ago but is now down to 1.1.

The seven-day rolling average rate of positive cases has declined significantly from over 300 to 190.

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In more good news today, no hospital deaths were reported.

North Yorkshire was in the lowest tier of restrictions pre-lockdown and the recent trend has raised hopes it may be classified the same when the government announces new measures later this week.

Boroughbridge and Marton-cum-Grafton has become the district’s current covid hotspot, with 29 infections in the last seven day — one more than Killinghall and Hampsthwaite.

Pateley Bridge and Nidd Valley has recorded the fewest positive test results in the last seven days, with just seven.

 

 

North Knaresborough and central Harrogate are local covid hotspots

Knaresborough and Central Harrogate are the current covid hotspots in the Harrogate district, according to the latest government figures.

The seven-day average rate of infections in the week to November 10 reveals the two local areas each recorded 44 new cases — more than anywhere else.

Harrogate Central was the fourth highest local area in the district last week, with 26 cases. Knaresborough was not in the top five.

Both areas also appear in the top 10 list for the county.

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The Scarborough borough accounts for seven of the top 10 places, with Filey and Hummanby reporting the most of all with 79.

Dishthorpe, Baldersby and Markington reported the lowest number of cases in the Harrogate district with six.

Highest number of cases
1= Harrogate Central 44
1= Knaresborough 44
3 Harrogate East 37
5= Harrogate West and Pannal 36
5= Killinghall and Hampsthwaite 36

Lowest number of cases
1 Dishthorpe, Baldersby and Markington 6
2= Masham, Kirkby Malzeard and North Stainley 7
2= Pateley Bridge and Nidd Valley 7
4= Knaresborough Central 13
4= Ripon North and West 13

Harrogate district covid rate soars past 300 people per 100,000

The seven-day rolling average rate of covid infections for the Harrogate district has risen above 300 people per 100,000 for the first time.

The rate, which was 160 just over a fortnight ago, is now 307, which is above the England average of 254.

The figure adds to recent data suggesting North Yorkshire, and the Harrogate district in particular, is currently faring worse than many other parts of the country in the fight against coronavirus.

Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, acknowledged the county was now in a “very different place” to pre-lockdown little more than a week ago. He said:

“Infection rates are soaring in many areas.

“We had been doing very well and we went into the current lockdown in the lowest tier of intervention. Sadly, our current rates put us in a very different place.

“Our economy is also suffering. Our hospitality sector, famous the world over for its hearty welcome and high-quality food and drink, is in lockdown again. And although we have generally good levels of employment across the county, we also struggle with low wages and high house prices in many areas.”

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The rise has sparked fears that Harrogate may be placed in a higher tier of restrictions when lockdown is due to end on December 2.

It was revealed yesterday that the number of patients being treated for coronavirus in Harrogate District Hospital has nearly doubled in a week, from 15 to 28.

Figures were also released showing the new covid testing site in Harrogate is testing 200 people a day.

The Harrogate district areas with the most and least covid infections

The Harrogate district has suffered a worrying increase in the rate of covid infections in recent weeks.

The rolling seven-day average of new cases per day has risen from 160 per 100,000 a fortnight ago to 287 today.

The R number, which refers to the virus’ reproduction rate, has gone up from 1.4 last week to 1.6.

Another 68 infections were confirmed today, taking the total since the start of the pandemic past 3,000.

But the spread of the virus is uneven. Some parts of the district have been hit harder than others.

Unsurprisingly, the more densely populated areas are suffering most.

Here are the five local community areas to have experienced the highest and lowest number of infections over the last seven days, according to government figures.

Highest

1 Harrogate East 45

2 Killinghall and Hampsthwaite 41

3 Harrogate West and Pannal 35

4 Central Harrogate 26

5 Hookstone 25

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Lowest

1 Pateley Bridge and Nidd Valley 7

2 Masham, Kirkby Malzeard & North Stainley 9

3 Boroughbridge & Marton-cum-Grafton 11

4 Ouseburn, Hammerton & Tockwith 13

5 Ripon North & West 14

3 pupils test positive for covid at Harrogate’s Rossett School

Three pupils have tested positive for coronavirus at Rossett School in Harrogate.

Parents were informed of the news yesterday in a letter from headteacher Helen Woodcock, which described the infections as ‘single, unconnected confirmed cases’.

It is believed about 60 pupils are isolating as a result of the infections.

The letter says:

“We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England.

“The students who have been in direct prolonged contact with the confirmed cases will also have received an additional letter and will be self-isolating for the allocated period.

“The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.”

The letter urges any children that develop covid symptoms to isolate for at least 10 days. It adds other household members, or members of support bubbles, should also not leave the house.

Nobody at Rossett School, which has 1,400 pupils, was available for comment.

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