Harrogate district covid infections hit four-month high

The Harrogate district has recorded the highest daily number of covid infections for four months.

Today’s 29 cases is the highest since February 17 when 31 infections were recorded, according to Public Health England statistics.

But no covid-related deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital since April 11.

According to NHS England statistics, the death toll at the hospital remains at 179.

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Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day covid rate is marginally up to 59 cases per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average is 45 and the England average is 75.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the Delta variant is now the dominant strain of coronavirus in North Yorkshire and most cases are among under 30-year-olds.

Louise Wallace told a North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum briefing today that the variant – which was first identified in India and has delayed the final lifting of lockdown restrictions – was accelerating in most parts of the county at a rate of around 40 new cases per day.

She added the strain appeared to be spreading fastest amongst young people, who she  urged to take vaccines. Jabs are now available to over 21-year-olds.

Ms Wallace said:

“The Delta variant does appear – as is the case nationally – to be the dominant strain of covid across North Yorkshire.

“In light of that, it is really important that given the variant is more transmissible we don’t let our guard down.”

Harrogate district covid rate creeps up again

The Harrogate district seven-day covid rate of infection has increased to 58 cases per 100,000 — up from 52 yesterday.

The latest figure is above the North Yorkshire rate of 45 but below the figure for England of 74.

Ten more infections in the district were confirmed today by Public Health England.

The district’s worst affected area is Ousebourn, Hammerton and Tockwith, which has recorded 11 infections in the last seven days. Bilton is next, with nine.

Tadcaster, which has recorded 12, has had the most cases in the whole of North Yorkshire.

However, another day has passed without any deaths at Harrogate District Hospital.

Seventy-eight per cent of adults in the district have received first vaccines; 65 per cent have had second jabs.

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Harrogate district unemployment falls by 10%

The number of people on out-of-work benefits in the Harrogate district fell by over 350 in May, a decrease of 10% on the previous month.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show 3,185 people were claiming out-of-work benefits as of May 13 — down from 3,545 in April.

This accounts for 3.4% of the local population, which is below the UK average of 6%.

From May 17, indoor hospitality venues such as bars and restaurants were able to reopen with social distancing measures in place.

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said:

“Any drop in the number of people unemployed has to be welcomed. However, I do fear that when furlough comes to an end the figure could well creep up again.”

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Financial support for those out of work includes Universal Credit and Job Seekers’ Allowance.

Figures in the district have remained stable throughout the pandemic, which suggests the government furlough scheme has protected many staff from redundancy.

Roadmap delay pushes back return of Harrogate district Parkruns

The delayed ending of coronavirus restrictions has forced organisers of Parkrun in the Harrogate district to push back its return by a month.

It has been a difficult few months for the organisers, who have tentatively scheduled the return of the free, weekly 5 km runs time and time again, only to then have to disappoint runners.

Outdoor events are permitted under the current government rules. However, many of the landowners that host the runs have granted permission for them to take place on the condition that all lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Now the government has delayed the roadmap easing until July 19, Parkrun is looking to return on July 24.

There are three Parkruns in the Harrogate district: on the Stray in Harrogate, Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough and Fountains Abbey, near Ripon.

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A spokesperson for Parkrun said today:

“A huge amount of work has been done in recent weeks to ensure we have permission to return from the large majority of landowners.

“While this delay is disappointing, we respect the fact that a significant number of these permissions were contingent on the country moving into Step 4.

“We will therefore target a new reopening date of July 24.”

Thirteen more covid cases in Harrogate district

A further 13 cases of covid have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of infections since last March to 7,912.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital.

The last covid-related death reported at the hospital was on April 11, according to NHS England statistics.

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It means the death toll at the hospital since the start of the pandemic remains at 179.

The hospital’s latest information on covid admissions, published on Thursday, revealed there were no current covid patients.

The district’s seven-day covid rate of infection stands at 52 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average is 41 and the England rate is 70.

Meanwhile, more than 200,000 covid vaccinations have been given in the district.

Data from Public Health England shows a total of 203,228 first and second vaccinations have been given in the district so far.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is today expected to announce a delay in lifting restrictions on June 21 for four weeks.

Ripon beautician praying for PM to save weddings

Hairdressers and brides-to-be in the Harrogate district will have their fingers tightly crossed this evening.

Social distancing restrictions were due to end on June 21 but now it seems the 30-person cap on wedding guests could be extended for another four weeks, throwing numerous wedding plans in jeopardy.

Some people have already put back their weddings as many as four times because of the coronavirus crisis.

Now they are relying on Prime Minister Boris Johnson, not to ruin their big days yet again.

Deborah Chalmers, of Love Hair & Beauty in Ripon, told the Stray Ferret:

“Three quarters of the bookings I have are for weddings with more than 100 guests.

“With the government’s roadmap to June 21 and the anticipated lifting of covid social distancing requirements, people were counting on finally getting married.

“They thought they were safe to book a post-June 21 date and everything that goes with it.

“Now there is another big question mark and we are all hoping and praying that a way can be found to allow weddings with more than 30 attendees to go ahead.”

Brides-to-be across the Harrogate district will be listening carefully to this evening’s announcement from Boris Johnson.

Later this year, Ms Chalmers celebrates her 10th anniversary of being in business in Ripon.

Over the decade she has prepared hundreds of brides and their bridesmaids for weddings.

She said:

“You can be in a restaurant with 100 people that you don’t know, or at a sporting event with thousands, so surely the Prime Minister can come up with something.

“I fully understand that there is a need to keep everybody safe, but perhaps we would be OK if there was covid testing available for all attending a wedding and those, like myself, providing services on the day.

“It will be desperate if weddings for some are put off for the fifth time, or if the limit on attendance remains at 30 and they have to un-invite family members and friends if they decide to go ahead with their ceremony.”

For Ms Chalmers and other businesses in the wedding sector, it has been a tough 16 months.

She has managed to keep ticking over by providing hair and beauty treatments for smaller weddings.

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Fortunately, customers forced to postpone have stayed loyal when rearranging for different dates.

She said:

“For some, the wedding has been a long time coming, but we stay optimistic in the knowledge that the brides will eventually, have their big day.”

Harrogate district’s race to vaccinate as coronavirus rates rise

The Harrogate district’s covid infection rate has returned to levels not seen since March.

The news comes ahead of tonight’s expected government announcement that the planned June 21 unlocking will be delayed by four weeks.

The Delta variant first identified in India was confirmed to have arrived in North Yorkshire last month and Harrogate’s weekly infection rate has since more than tripled.

However, there were no covid patients in Harrogate District Hospital as of last Wednesday and it has been two months since it recorded a death.

Public Health England figures show the latest infection rate for the Harrogate district is 52 cases per 100,000 people – up from 16 this time last month.

The latest figure is also above the North Yorkshire average of 41, but below the England average of 70.

Meanwhile, more than 111,000 people in the district have now received their first covid jab and over 92,000 their second.

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Under the roadmap out of lockdown, England was due to move to stage four on June 21 when events and venues, including nightclubs, would be allowed to operate without capacity limits, and the cap on guests at weddings would also be lifted.

But many scientists have called for a delay to enable more people to be vaccinated and allow more time for work on whether vaccines are breaking or weakening the link between infections and hospitalisations.

Speaking at a meeting on Thursday, councillor Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said with hopes of lockdown restrictions lifting now fading, “the race is on” to vaccinate as many people as possible as the spread of infections gathers pace.

“The light is still there but the increase in Delta variant transmissions is worrying. The trend is going upwards, hospitalisations are increasing and it also seems to be spreading into younger people who until recently seemed to be relatively immune.

“The race is on to vaccinate all of us as soon as possible. This is not over yet and we just have to be careful still.”

More than 200,000 covid vaccines given in Harrogate district

More than 200,000 people have had a covid vaccine in the Harrogate district, according to latest figures.

Data from Public Health England shows a total of 203,228 vaccinations have been given in the district so far.

It includes 111,078 first doses and 92,150 second doses.

The figures represent an uptake of 78% for a first vaccine and 65% for a second dose for people aged 18 and over in the district.

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Those aged 25 and over are currently being invited to come forward for a vaccine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to today announce a delay to the easing of restrictions on June 21.

The move would see a delay of four weeks in order to allow for more time for people to get a second jab.

10 more covid cases reported in Harrogate district

Ten more positive covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to latest Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of infections since last March to 7,872.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day covid rate has increased to 42 infections per 100,000 people.

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The North Yorkshire average stands at 35 and the England rate is 60.

No deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital since April 11.

The death toll at the hospital since the start of the pandemic remains at 179, according to NHS England statistics.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning, it’s Connor with you this morning giving you updates every 15 minutes on the road and rail links near you.

Our live blog, brought to you by The HACS Group, will give you up-to-date information on traffic hotspots or where it may be building and the temporary lights in place. We also keep an eye on any bus or train delays.

If it is safe, please get in touch on 01423 276197 if you experience any delays.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning, I am heading over to the news desk. Leah will be back with your tomorrow from 6.30am with all of your traffic and travel updates.

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to become busy this morning, particularly around these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to become busy this morning, particularly around these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to become busy this morning, particularly around these areas:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to become busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to become busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to become busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to become busy this morning but there are no traffic hot spots just yet.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are looking clear so far this morning, keep checking for today’s traffic hotspots.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses