Freedom Day sees Harrogate district covid rate close to record high

The Harrogate district’s covid infection rate is on course to reach record levels this month, as almost all legal restrictions on social contact are lifted.

Social distancing rules which have governed people’s lives for over a year have finally ended today, with face masks no longer mandatory in shops and on public transport, limits on gathering gone and the work from home guidance ended.

Nightclubs, theatres and restaurants can also fully reopen, while pubs are no longer restricted to table service only.

But with covid cases continuing to soar, there are renewed warnings about pressures on key sectors of the economy and the NHS.

The weekly rate of infections in the Harrogate district currently stands at 495 cases per 100,000 people and appears certain to pass the previous peak of 497 in January.

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Meanwhile, today’s Public Health England figures showed a further 103 cases have been reported across the district.

Just five hospital patients

But the number of people currently in hospital with covid is nowhere near the levels from previous peaks – with just five patients in Harrogate as of last Wednesday.

There has also not been a virus-related death at the district hospital in more than three months.

With vaccines providing protection against serious illness, the effects of the virus are very different this time round. But the big unknown is how far this rise in cases will go before the virus slows down or goes into reverse.

Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said in a letter to residents last week that although restrictions were ending, people should still “act responsibly” as he also encouraged the continued wearing of face coverings in busy spaces.

He said: 

“I can sum up our approach in two words: respect and protect. We can show respect for and offer protection to ourselves and those around us by continuing to do the simple things.

“Please continue to wear your face covering in crowded spaces outdoors or indoors.

“Businesses and shops need to do all they can to protect their staff, as well as customers. They don’t want to have to close because staff are self-isolating, so wearing a facemask not only protects you, it protects other people and supports local business.

“Likewise with social distancing, some people may not feel as confident as you, so giving them space is important. Regular hand washing and sticking to well-ventilated places remains important, too.

“Above all else, it is crucial that you have your vaccination. Get your first jab as soon as you’re able – and make sure you get your second jab, too. That continues to be our best line of defence.”

Stray Views: Why my friends won’t be returning to drunken Harrogate

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.

Why my friends won’t be returning to Harrogate

Friends from Ilkley and Harpenden in Hertfordshire visited Harrogate today. They were totally horrified by the anti-social behaviour of the drunks by the war memorial on their way to Bettys and the art galleries in Montpellier and beyond.

They will not be back in a hurry and will undoubtedly tell all their friends that Harrogate is incapable of keeping the down-and-outs away from our major tourist attractions and that Harrogate is no longer the “nice” town of its historic reputation.

Should Harrogate care? These friends are wealthy retired folk with money to spend who were intending to visit the Sutcliffe Galleries, the Walker Galleries and the lovely new Watermark Gallery.Can I ask in total desperation, what will it take for our increasingly woke and insular council and its placid police force to understand the damage that is being done to the image, attractiveness and financial well-being of our town from their inability to deal with this very simple-to-solve problem and urge them to prevent a potentially irreversible reputation decline for our lovely town?

Tim Emmott, Harrogate

Station Gateway: economic concerns need addressing

Independent Harrogate, which represents more than 180 businesses. supports the proposed ‘Station Gateway‘ in general but we do have some serious concerns that it might have a negative impact on the local economy.

The scheme fails to address the need for park and ride schemes, a large number of electric car charging points and extensive safe cycling routes away from traffic that link with low-traffic neighbourhoods, therefore reducing congestion and in turn reducing carbon emissions.

And, to prevent congestion and an increase in carbon emissions, Station Parade must retain its two lanes, with enhanced cycling facilities reserved for East Parade.

We support James Street remaining fully open whilst supporting the narrowing at its junction with Station Parade to aid pedestrians crossing the road.

We urge North Yorkshire County Council to meet groups to discuss the finer details of the proposals.

William Woods, Independent Harrogate

Why is Kex Gill work taking so long?

Given that it is now more than two years since the Kex Gill route was finalised and finance was put in place, it is staggering that North Yorkshire County Council is now warning the scheme could be delayed because it hasn’t bothered to secure the land, in precisely the same way no one thought to consult the Duchy of Lancaster regarding the much-delayed Otley Road cycle path. Do they never learn?

David Howarth, Harrogate

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Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

 

Harrogate district covid rate at highest since January

The Harrogate district’s covid rate is at its highest since January, according to latest figures.

The district’s seven-day average currently stands at 422 cases per 100,000 people – the highest it has been since January 10.

Elsewhere, the North Yorkshire rate is 421 and the England average stands at 396.

Meanwhile, another 100 cases of covid have been reported in the Harrogate district.

However, no covid-related deaths have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital in more than three months and the hospital is only treating five patients with the virus.

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A total of 221,648 vaccinations have been given in the district, according to Public Health England statistics.

The number includes 121,150 people receiving a first dose and 100,498 second doses.

Another 127 covid cases in Harrogate district — but no more deaths

Another 127 cases of covid have been reported in the Harrogate district.

However, no covid-related deaths have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital in more than three months and the hospital is only treating five patients with the virus.

The district’s seven-day covid rate now stands at 416 cases per 100,000. The North Yorkshire average is 394 and the England rate is 376.

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A total of 219,997. vaccinations have been given in the district, according to Public Health England statistics.

The number includes 121,112 people receiving a first dose and 98,865 second doses.

Harrogate district records 119 daily covid cases

The Harrogate district has recorded 119 daily covid cases, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

The number is the highest number since January 11 when 138 infections were reported.

It takes the total number of cases since last March to 9,711.

Meanwhile, the number of covid patients in Harrogate District Hospital has increased to five.

However, no covid-related deaths have been recorded at the hospital in three months.

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 402 cases per 100,000. The North Yorkshire average is 372 and the England rate is 357.

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A total of 219,249. vaccinations have been given in the district, according to Public Health England statistics.

The number includes 120,473 people receiving a first dose and 98,776 second doses.

The figures come as health bosses in North Yorkshire announced that new walk-in clinics will be introduced in the district this weekend.

Walk-in covid vaccination clinics with no bookings required will take place on July 17 in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge.

Meanwhile, Ripon Racecourse vaccination site is set to close down next month.

The centre was set up back in February in an effort to increase vaccination capacity in the Harrogate district.

The site is still open for second doses until the end of this month, but is expected to close in August.

Harrogate East and Killinghall and Hampsthwaite among covid hotspots

Harrogate East, Killinghall and Hampsthwaite and Starbeck are the Harrogate district’s current covid hotspots after another 76 infections were recorded today.

The three locations have registered 54, 47 and 46 respectively in the last seven days, which have seen rates soar but hospitalisations remain low and more than three months have passed without a covid-related death at Harrogate District Hospital.

The last reported covid death at the hospital was on April 11. It means the death toll remains at 179.

Meanwhile, a total of 218,532 covid vaccines have been given in the Harrogate district, according to latest Public Health England figures.

A total of 120,440 people have had a first dose and 98,092 have received a second vaccine.

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day covid rate of infection has increased to 410 people per 100,000.

The North Yorkshire average is 355 and the England rate is 345.

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Knaresborough campaigner: ‘This park will be lost unless we speak up’

Campaigners in Knaresborough fighting a leisure centre and swimming pool being built on a park have accused Harrogate Borough Council of “not being honest” about the location of the new site.

A photo taken yesterday appears to show exploratory work for the new facility taking place on Fysche Field, next to the current swimming pool.

The council plans to build a new leisure centre to replace the town’s existing pool and begun drawing up designs earlier this year. A public consultation found over 80% of respondents were in support of the site, which is now the council’s preferred location.

However, some residents have criticised the consultation process and launched a campaign to protect the playing field next to the leisure centre from development.

They believe the consultation was flawed because it did not make it clear that the field next to the current pool could also be built on.

Campaigner David Hull, who set up a website against the development, took a photo that appeared to show drilling rigs and piling machines, which are used to drill holes.

Mr Hull told the Stray Ferret he believes the photo shows the council is intent on pressing ahead with its plan to build on the park.

He said:

“It is now abundantly clear to everyone that the intention is to build on the green park and not the existing pool site.

“We’ve had enough of this and this park will be lost unless we speak up.

“The council are being disingenuous and not being honest with people”.

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A council spokesperson said:

“The current facility in Knaresborough is nearing 30 years old, only provides a swimming pool and has a number of on-going maintenance issues which are not resolvable without significant investment.

“As part of the design feasibility work, we are currently carrying out ground investigations across the entire existing site. This is normal for a project of this scale and does not pre-empt any preferred design or layout for the new leisure centre.

“When plans have been submitted they will be subject to the normal planning application process.

“Once completed, the new leisure centre will provide energy efficient, state-of-the art facilities that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of.”

Knaresborough Pool reopened yesterday after being closed since last summer following a problem with the pool’s filters.

No covid deaths at Harrogate hospital for three months

No covid-related deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital for three months.

According to NHS England figures, the last death from a patient who tested positive for covid was on April 11.

It means the death toll at the hospital since last March remains at 179.

Meanwhile, a further 98 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to latest Public Health England figures.

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It takes the total number of cases in the district since last March to 9,516.

The district’s seven-day covid rate of infection has increased to 406 people per 100,000 — the highest in North Yorkshire.

The North Yorkshire average is 343 and the England rate is 323.

A total of 218,303 vaccinations have been given in the district, according to Public Health England statistics.

The number includes 120,348 people receiving a first dose and 97,955 second doses.

Bin collections as usual on Monday despite England game

Bin collectors across the Harrogate district will still be out in force on Monday morning after England’s big game.

While some businesses are giving employees a day off after the Euro 2020 final, Harrogate Borough Council has said all refuse will still be collected at its usual time.

England are set to walk out at Wembley tomorrow evening to play Italy in their first major tournament final in 55 years.

A council spokesperson said:

“Garden waste, refuse and recycling will be collected as normal next week.

“We have a dedicated team who look after our parks, open spaces and streets across the district. They will be working hard next week, as they do every week, to make sure the Harrogate district looks as wonderful and presentable as residents expect.”

As pubs and beer gardens are expected to be packed, the council also urged punters to use the bins provided and to take rubbish home with them after the game.

Officials have said there are no plans for a big screen on the Stray to show the match, and no third parties had applied for a screen either.

While bin collections will continue as normal, other businesses have offered their employees time off.

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National firm McQueens Dairies delivers milk, eggs and other essential produce to homes in the Harrogate district every week and told its drivers they can take the night off on July 11 to watch the final.

Customers received an email saying there would be no deliveries on the morning of July 12 due to its anticipation of a victory for England.

The rescheduling “will allow our staff… to enjoy the celebrations”, the firm explained.

But the chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours housing association has said it is “unfair” that some workers and students have been given a late start to the working week.

Sue Cawthray said that although her team members will be watching the final, essential workers don’t have the option of a mass half-day off. She said:

“Its so unfair, we’ve been through enough with the pandemic and it feels like we’ve been forgotten about. We still have to get up for our shifts on Monday. We can’t say ‘oh, we can’t wake you up or help you get dressed this morning because England were in the finals’.”

Delta variant cases in Harrogate district rise to 465

A total of 465 cases of the Delta variant have been confirmed in the Harrogate district, according to the latest government data.

The number, which represents cases up to July 7, is an increase on the 331 recorded in the district up to June 30.

Meanwhile, a further 90 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district according to Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of cases in the district since last March to 9,225.

The district’s seven-day covid rate of infection has increased to 377 people per 100,000 – the highest in North Yorkshire.

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The North Yorkshire average is 294 and the England rate is 295.

However, the number of patients being treated for covid at Harrogate District Hospital has fallen to two.

No covid-related deaths have been reported at the hospital since April 11.

A total of 216,710 vaccinations have been given in the district, according to Public Health England statistics.

The number includes 119,378 people receiving a first dose and 97,332 second doses.