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

According to NHS England figures, the death was recorded yesterday.

It takes the covid death toll at the hospital since March last year to 198.

The Harrogate district reported a further 104 covid cases in today’s government figures.

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The district’s covid rate has risen to 570 infections per 100,000 people, which is the second highest in North Yorkshire.

Across the county, the average stands at 529 and the England rate is 398.

As of Tuesday, 23 covid patients were being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

Data analysed by the Stray Ferret shows the impact of the covid vaccine in reducing the number of deaths related to the virus at Harrogate District Hospital.

Since December 2020, when the National Health Service embarked on the biggest vaccination rollout in the UK, more than 120,000 people in the Harrogate district have had at least two jabs.

The data shows the number of patients dying at Harrogate District Hospital has declined significantly as the vaccine rollout has taken place.

As shown in the graph below, the number of daily deaths at the hospital from covid peaked in February 2021 at seven. No more than three deaths have been recorded on any one day in recent months despite the highest infections rates since covid began.

The graph also reveals there was a noticeably higher number of deaths overall in the first two waves than in recent months.

The number of covid vaccinations since December 2020 in the Harrogate district. Data: UK Government. Graph: the Stray Ferret.

The peak of daily deaths came at a time when the vaccine rollout was picking up pace and a national lockdown had been imposed due to soaring covid cases.

Around that time, the district hospital was dealing with a peak of 68 covid inpatients, compared to 22 today.

The following months saw no deaths reported for several weeks in line with the vaccine rollout and restrictions imposed.

Once restrictions were lifted in July, the hospital started to report new covid fatalities — but higher vaccination levels led to a much lower death rate.

The daily covid cases in the Harrogate district since the start of the pandemic. Data: UK Government. Graph: the Stray Ferret.

Since March 2020, the hospital has recorded a total of 197 deaths.

The waning of the effect of covid jabs has seen the government start to rollout booster vaccines for those over-40.

High covid cases and booster vaccines

The number of covid cases has increased dramatically in recent months.

Daily infections peaked in October and have flatlined into November.

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Even so, the number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital has still not reached anywhere near the high set in February.

The data on vaccinations and deaths comes as booster vaccines have started to be offered to people across the district.

Walk-in centres have been operating in Leeds and York for those who are eligible for a jab.

However, data on the number of people who have taken up booster vaccines in the Harrogate district is so far unavailable.

As of Monday, 13.1 million people across the UK have had booster vaccinations.

The race is on to vaccinate around 450 frontline staff at Harrogate District Hospital after the government announced it was making covid jabs mandatory.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid last week announced he expected to set a deadline for all unvaccinated workers to get both jabs by the beginning of April in a move which he said would help protect patients and the NHS as a whole.

However, there are concerns it could lead to more staffing shortages in the health service which is still dealing with pandemic pressures and long backlogs.

The vaccine mandate will affect around 100,000 unvaccinated staff in England and follows a consultation which considered whether the rules already in place for care home workers should be introduced.

It is estimated around 90% of all staff are vaccinated, although the numbers vary at different hospital trusts with coverage at some falling to around 80%.

At Harrogate District Hospital, the figure is 91% although bosses believe it could be higher as it doesn’t take into account new starters or staff who have been vaccinated outside of work.

Steve Russell, chief executive at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“The vast majority of our staff have had their covid-19 vaccinations, however, there are a small number who have not yet been jabbed.

“We understand there can be a variety of reasons as to why some staff have elected not to have the vaccine.

“We are keen to support those members of staff who are eligible for the vaccine, but have yet to have it, to try and allay their concerns using impartial, factual information.”

The deadline for care home workers to get vaccinated passed last week with around 250 staff in North Yorkshire now facing losing their jobs if they can not be redeployed.

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Officials at North Yorkshire County Council – which has launched its biggest-ever care recruitment campaign – say vaccine take up in the county has been good, although they admitted the numbers of unvaccinated staff was still significant for a sector already struggling with a depleted workforce.

If a similar trend is seen for the NHS, the health service could find itself severely short of staff come the spring.

Mr Russell added: 

“On a daily basis we see how severe the effects of contracting covid-19 can be and it is important that we do all that we can to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors and staff.

“The covid-19 vaccination is an effective means of preventing the spread of the virus by building protection. Since it has become available we have been encouraging all of our staff – not just those that are patient facing – to get vaccinated.

“Over the last couple of months we have also been offering our colleagues the booster if they are eligible.

“We have and will continue to encourage colleagues who have not yet had the vaccination to get jabbed by spring 2022 and if the need arises we will follow government guidance regarding those people who have elected not to have the vaccination.”

The Harrogate district has reported 109 cases of covid, according to Public Health England figures.

The district’s seven-day average case rate is 480 per 100,000 people, which is the second-highest rate in North Yorkshire.

Across the county, the average rate is 444 and the England average is 363.

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

Since March 2020, 197 people have died with covid at the hospital.

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Meanwhile, the number of covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital remains stable with 22 currently receiving treatment – a slight fall from 25 this time last week.

The government announced today that third vaccine doses will now be offered to all over-40s in the UK after advice from the government scientists.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation also said 16 and 17-year-olds, initially offered only a single dose, should now receive a second.

It is hoped the move will top up protection and help limit the spread of the virus over winter which bosses at Harrogate District Hospital previously warned will be “more challenging than ever before”.

The number of covid deaths at Harrogate District Hospital is approaching the 200 mark as health chiefs look to speed up vaccinations ahead of winter.

The hospital’s toll since the pandemic began currently stands at 195, with the latest death of a patient who died within 28 days of testing positive being reported on Wednesday last week.

However, the number of covid patients receiving treatment at the hospital has fallen slightly from 25 to 24 in the last seven days.

The Harrogate district’s seven-day infection rate has also fallen, from 591 per 100,000 people to 548 today. It remains the highest in North Yorkshire.

It is also above both the county and England averages of 470 and 372 respectively.

Long trips for booster jabs

Booster vaccines are being made available for over 50s and any over 16s with a health condition that puts them at high risk of covid.

The NHS has shortened the length of time between second and third doses – and those eligible can now get vaccinated simply by turning up at a walk-in site.

However, these sites are currently limited in Harrogate with patients being asked to travel to Pateley Bridge or outside of the district as far as Bradford or Batley.

The NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group last week said it was unable to open any more walk-in sites in the area as “all clinics are running at capacity” and that it would do so “as soon as possible”.

A CCG spokesperson said:

“If we open walk-ins now it is likely we would exceed our vaccine allocation and there would be some disappointed people and negative feedback which we are trying to avoid.”

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Appointment-based vaccines are still available to book at local clinics via the national booking system, which also has dedicated slots for 12 to 15-year-olds available at the Homecare Pharmacy site in Knaresborough.

There was an aim to complete the rollout of vaccines to this age group by the start of half-term, however, progress has been slow with less than 20% in the Harrogate district receiving their single dose.

These jabs are being made available at schools but also at other sites including Askham Bar in York, Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium, the Northern Echo Arena in Darlington and Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

It was recently announced that Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground will reopen as a vaccine centre for an expected busy period of booster jabs in December.
The venue closed for vaccinations in August but will reopen for two weeks at the start of next month.

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate has crept up again as a further 151 cases have been reported by Public Health England.

The district’s average now stands at 578 per 100,000 people.

Across North Yorkshire, the rate is 505 and the England average is 412.

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

However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.

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The Harrogate district reported another 109 cases of covid today, according to latest figures.

The infection rate has dropped to 552 per 100,000 people — the highest in the county, but lower than the 740 mark achieved on October 16.

The county average is 499 and the England rate stands at 416.

No further covid deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to latest NHS England figures.

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However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.

Russell Nightingale, chief operating officer at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said the increase in covid patients was still putting increased pressure on the hospital ahead of winter which is “always a challenging time”.

He said: 

“The vaccine programme has undoubtedly had a big impact and we are seeing far fewer covid patients in intensive care with severe symptoms.

“However, as we are now mixing more compared to this time last year, there is the potential that covid infections will continue to rise and we will start to see an increase in the number of patients with other respiratory viruses.

“Whilst most covid restrictions have now been lifted, the virus has not gone away.

“We would encourage people to get vaccinated if they have not already done so, and have their booster if they are eligible.”

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

According to NHS England figures, the hospital reported a death on October 28.

It takes the death toll from covid since March 2020 at the hospital to 194.

Latest figures show Harrogate hospital is treating 25 covid patients.

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The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 535 per 100,000 people. The North Yorkshire average is 492 and the England rate is 417.

A total of 130,637 people have received a first covid vaccine in the district and 122,108 have had a second dose.

Today, NHS bosses announced that those eligible for a booster vaccine would be able to attend walk-in clinics.

However, for those in the Harrogate district, the nearest walk-in centre is at Elland Road stadium in Leeds.

The Harrogate district has recorded another 144 coronavirus cases today, according to the latest Public Health England figures.

Although daily cases remain high, Harrogate District Hospital has not reported any further covid patient deaths.

The seven-day rate for the Harrogate district is now 517 per 100,000 people, which is much lower than the peak of 740 on October 16. However, the rate of decline has slowed in recent days.

The district now has the fourth highest rate in North Yorkshire, below Craven, Ryedale and Selby.

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North Yorkshire’s average is 503 per 100,000 and England’s is 450.

The hospital was treating 19 covid patients as of Monday.

It was also announced this week that 12-15 year olds can now book their covid vaccines appointments.

The government’s coronavirus dashboard had not updated the vaccine figures for the Harrogate district today at the time of going to press.

The organisers of the 50th anniversary charity bonfire and fireworks on the Stray have appealed for more donations to ensure a successful event in nine days time.

An online gofundme page set up by Harrogate and District Round Table has so far attracted £1,220 in donations towards a goal of £8,000 with just over a week to go until the event on Saturday, November 6.

There will be a bucket fundraising collection on the night and people will be encouraged to text to donate £5. But with the current total being so short of the goal, the organisers have appealed for a flurry of online donations over the next week.

The event is organised by volunteers, who try to keep costs low but they have to spend money on fireworks, transportation of pallets and road traffic management.

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The £8,000 figure is how much the event costs to put on, and the Round Table always donates any profits to charity. This year’s charity is the Friends of Harrogate Hospital.

John Carter, who is in charge of organising the bonfire for the Round Table this year, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are going to put on a big bonfire and fireworks display. We hope people will enjoy the event after a pretty miserable 18 months.

“There is the online fundraiser but we will have lots of bucket shaking on the night as well as the text to donate. It is the first time we have done the online fundraiser.

“Over the years the amount we have raised on the night has dwindled as people don’t tend to carry cash so we are encouraging donations in other ways.”