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.

Read more:

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.

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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:

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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

Harrogate district daily covid infections rocket to 28

The Harrogate district has recorded another 28 cases of covid, according to today’s statistics from Public Health England.

It is the highest daily number since February 17, when 31 people tested positive.

However, although the number of cases has increased, health bosses in North Yorkshire said today that no covid patients are currently being treated in Harrogate District Hospital.

And there hasn’t been a covid-related death at the hospital since April 11. The hospital covid death toll remains at 179.

Read more:

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said it was too early to say whether the county’s hospitals will see a spike in covid admissions.

She told a North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum press briefing today:

“The numbers of patients in hospital are increasing very slowly and we are watching them very closely, but we do know as more people have their second jab the vaccination provides significant protection against serious illness.

“We will see the data in the next few weeks about the impact of the Delta variant on the number of patients requiring hospital treatment, and any impact in terms of death, but it is too early to say.

“All of our hospitals have surge plans in place to cope with any increased demand and they will flex accordingly, but hopefully with the continued success of the vaccination programme we will see lower levels of hospitalisations as we move forwards.”

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate has increased to 37 per 100,000 people after today’s figures.

The North Yorkshire average stands at 32 and the England rate is 51.

 

Shop vacancy rates fall in Harrogate district, according to council figures

Shop vacancy rates across Harrogate district have fallen over the last year, according to latest borough council data.

The figures for March 2021 show most areas saw a decrease in the number of vacant units on the same time last year.

Boroughbridge was among the best performing with just 1.5% of shops in the town empty – a drop from 6.1% on March last year.

According to the council’s data, just one out of 64 shops were vacant in the town.

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Meanwhile, Harrogate town saw the number of empty units fall from 9.5% in March 2020 to 7.3% in the same period this year.

However, figures for the Harrogate suburbs increased from 3.9% to 4.4%.

Pateley Bridge’s rate stayed the same, while Ripon fell to 6.6% and Masham dropped by 2.2% to 11.1%.

Overall the district has 83 out of 1,211 units sat empty, according to the data.

In a post on his news site, Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, said:

“These have been difficult times and we are still not through them. Retail and hospitality are going to face ongoing challenges but these figures are positive and an improving position on much of the last few years.

“While the Harrogate town centre vacancy rate is at its lowest since June 2015 this is somewhat masked by the fact that a few really large units in prominent positions are empty which smaller units are generally being occupied.

“Knaresborough’s figures should improve even further when the long-term empty properties on the High Street come into use later this year. They were derelict until Harrogate council bought them and refurbished them.

“The Boroughbridge story is amazing and a tribute to this positive, community-oriented outlook. The town even featured on the BBC news described as ‘Boom town Boroughbridge’; quite an accolade.”

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 do hope you find the service helpful. I will be back for the last team this week tomorrow from 6.30am.

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

You may have been caught up in this just after 7am yesterday (8th). The #A61 #WormaldGreen #Ripon was blocked for a while until we could recover the vehicles. Thankfully neither driver suffered any injury. #RTC #SaferRoads #RoadSafety pic.twitter.com/nwv2CedFxZ

— David Minto (@TC174_NYP) June 9, 2021

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8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

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Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – 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

7.30am – 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

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

Twelve more covid cases in the Harrogate district

A further 12 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 7,834.

Meanwhile, 109,243 people have had a first dose of a covid vaccine in the district and 83,710 have had a second jab.

In total, 192,953 vaccinations have been given so far.

Read more:

Those aged between 25 and 29 have been invited to book their vaccine appointment from today.

Elsewhere, no deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital.

According to NHS England statistics, the last death recorded was on April 11. The death toll at the hospital remains at 179.

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate of infection has nudged up to 31 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average is 28 and the England rate is 50.

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 

Roads

Thanks for getting involved in the traffic live blog this morning. I will head over to the news desk for the rest of the day but will be back from 6.30am tomorrow. The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning with some traffic hotspots:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The district’s roads are just starting to look quite busy this morning but there are no traffic hotspots yet. Do keep checking back.

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

Harrogate district records highest daily covid cases since March

The Harrogate district has recorded its highest daily covid cases since March.

According to today’s Public Health England figures, 15 cases have tested positive.

It’s the highest daily infections since March 21, when 15 were also reported.

The figure takes the total number of infections since the start of the pandemic to 7,805.

The daily number of cases reported is now based on PCR and lateral flow tests returning positive results.

Read more:

However, if someone with a positive lateral flow test later has a negative result with a PCR test, the earlier result will be removed.

NHS England no longer reports coronavirus deaths from hospitals over weekends or on Bank Holidays.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day rate currently stands at 23 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average is 18 and the England rate is 37.