Harrogate district covid rate below 100 for first time since Christmas

The covid rate of infection in the Harrogate district has fallen below 100 people per 100,000 for the first time since before Christmas.

Public Health England confirmed another 22 cases today, reducing the seven-day average rate of infection to 98.

It has not been this low since December 21.

Rates shot up after Christmas, peaking at 498 on January 7.

The current overall average for North Yorkshire is 101 and the England figure is 148.

Killinghalll and Hampsthwaite is still the sub-district with the most cases, having recorded 22 in the last seven days.

Starbeck is second with 17.

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Two sub-districts — Harrogate West and Pannal and Dishthorpe, Baldersby and Markington — have not had any infections in the last seven days.

No further covid deaths at Harrogate District Hospital were reported today.

Harrogate district records a further 23 coronavirus cases

A further 23 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate district.

It takes the total cases since March up to 6,983, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 111 per 100,000 people.

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The North Yorkshire average is 116, while the England rate is currently 166.

No further deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

Watch out this coming week on the Stray Ferret for interviews from the Great Yorkshire Showground vaccine site. 

Over 70s in Harrogate district urged to contact NHS for covid vaccine

Over 70s in the Harrogate District who have not been invited for their covid vaccination are being urged to come forward and arrange an appointment.

It comes as the health service is aiming to vaccinate all those in the top four priority groups by February 15.

North Yorkshire health officials have previously said that they were confident of achieving the target.

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Amanda Bloor, accountable officer at North Yorkshire CCG, said: 

“Healthcare colleagues across North Yorkshire and York and in the wider Humber, Coast and Vale area have been doing a fantastic job to vaccinate people in the first four priority groups, but we want to ensure that all those who are eligible, have been offered the jab.

“We know that people over 70 and those on the shielded patient list are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. It’s important they come forward if they haven’t had their vaccine yet.

“I urge everyone to check with their parents, grandparents, relatives, neighbours and friends who are 70 years old and over if they have been vaccinated. If they haven’t had the vaccine yet, please help them book an appointment as soon as possible. 

“If you have previously turned down the opportunity to get the vaccine but have changed your mind, please also come forward now. We are determined that nobody should be left behind.

“The vaccine is safe, simple, and will offer you and those around you crucial protection against this virus.”

Those who are eligible for the vaccine can book an appointment through the national booking system at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination.

Those who cannot book online can call a free 119 telephone number, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. The national system allows patients to pick a convenient location and time.

Health bosses said those who receive a letter from the NHS to book with the national system, but already have an appointment booked with their local GP practice, should ignore the letter and keep the existing appointment.

Vaccinations are currently being offered at the Yorkshire Events Centre, Askham Bar in York and at Elland Road in Leeds.

Harrogate district records 26 further coronavirus cases

A further 26 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Harrogate district, according to Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 6,910.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day covid rate has fallen to 123 per 100,000 people.

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The North Yorkshire average stands at 121, while the England rate is 193.

A further death of a patient who tested positive for coronavirus has been reported at Harrogate District Hospital.

The death was recorded on February 8, according to NHS England figures.

It takes the death toll at the hospital since March to 141.

Harrogate district braced for snow as Storm Darcy hits

The Harrogate District is braced for yet more snowfall this coming week as Storm Darcy hits the UK.

According to the Met Office, the district is forecast snow showers overnight into Monday morning.

A yellow weather warning for snow remains in place for tomorrow until Wednesday.

Temperatures are also expected to drop to a low of -2 degrees celsius tonight and only reach highs of one degrees tomorrow.

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It comes as the district is set to be hit by Storm Darcy, dubbed “Beast from the East 2”, which has brought heavy rainfall, snow and icy winds.

Amid the heavy snow forecast, RHS Harlow Carr has confirmed it will be closed on Monday.

Unfortunately due to a forecast of heavy snowfall, we will be closed tomorrow, Monday 8 February. If you've paid for tickets, contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk to arrange a refund. When we reopen, it's for exercise for visitors who live locally, following government guidelines. pic.twitter.com/MQDPWQZryZ

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) February 7, 2021

It said in a tweet:

“Unfortunately due to a forecast of heavy snowfall, we will be closed tomorrow, Monday 8 February. 

“If you’ve paid for tickets, contact harlowcarr@rhs.org.uk to arrange a refund. When we reopen, it’s for exercise for visitors who live locally, following government guidelines.”

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency (EA) has a flood alert in place for the Lower River Ure near Ripon and Boroughbridge – meaning flooding is possible.

Alerts on its website said the levels in both rivers remained high due to recent rainfall, but are falling slowly.

However, the EA added that further rain and snow was forecast and it was “monitoring the situation closely”.

For full information on school closures and traffic disruption make sure you follow the Stray Ferret – we’ll have regular updates from early Monday morning if the storm affects us. 

Harrogate district records 18 further covid cases

The Harrogate District has recorded a further 18 covid cases, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of cases since March to 6,867.

A further patient who tested positive for coronavirus has died at Harrogate District Hospital.

The latest death was recorded on February 5, according to NHS England figures.

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It takes the total covid-related deaths at the hospital this week to 10 and the death toll since the start of the pandemic to 139.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day covid rate has fallen to 151 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average stands at 135, while the national rate is 211.

New snow warning issued for Harrogate district

Residents across the district are bracing for another spell of wintry weather, with warnings in place for snow and ice in North Yorkshire until the middle of next week.

The Met Office has today issued new yellow weather warnings for snow and ice from first thing on Monday until Wednesday lunchtime.

It had already issued warnings of snow and ice from Saturday afternoon until Monday night, saying there may be disruption to travel and icy patches on pavements.

However, the Harrogate district looks set to escape the worst of the conditions, with amber warnings having been issued for the south-east of England and parts of Scotland. In North Yorkshire, snow showers are expected from Saturday evening until Monday afternoon, with the forecast currently showing significant breaks between them.

However, the weather is expected to remain cold for at least another week, with more snow forecast for the district from Thursday onwards.

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Meanwhile, Pateley Bridge Town Council has issued a reminder to residents about gritting and ploughing in the area after a number of queries were raised during bad weather over recent weeks.

Chairman Mike Holt said roads were gritted on a priority basis by North Yorkshire County Council, with tier one roads such as bus routes treated first, followed by tier two, including the B6165 from Ripley to Pateley Bridge. He said:

“Once these roads are clear the third tier is tackled. These are the minor roads and side streets that make up the remainder of the road network.

“Bearing in mind that the county has over 5000 miles of roads I do believe it is understandable that more often than not, the snow clears before they can get to tier three, or sometimes even the second tier.

“NYCC also employ local sub-contractors to plough and grit their local area. Unfortunately this costs extra money which NYCC does not have, so this facility is not used as often as it possibly should be.

“I am led to believe that the grit bins are each allocated two refills per season. Extra refills can be arranged but at a considerable cost and of course when the weather is poor, it is impossible to say when those top-ups might occur.”

If the snow causes disruption over the coming days, the Stray Ferret will provide live updates about road conditions, school closures and more. Keep checking our website and social media for the latest news.

Harrogate district records another 35 covid cases

A further 35 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Harrogate district, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of cases since March to 6,812.

Meanwhile, Harrogate District Hospital has recorded another covid death. NHS England figures show the death was reported on February 3.

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The death toll at the hospital since the start of the pandemic now stands at 136.

The hospital has also discharged a further 28 patients this past week. In total, 461 patients diagnosed with coronavirus have been discharged since March.

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day coronavirus rate has fallen to 164 per 100,000 people. The North Yorkshire average stands at 145, while the England rate is now at 231.

Six covid deaths at Harrogate hospital this week

Two more patients who tested positive for covid have died at Harrogate District Hospital, it was revealed today.

Both deaths were recorded on Tuesday, according to NHS England figures.

It brings the number of covid-related deaths at the hospital this week to six, and the total since the start of the pandemic to 135.

There are currently 65 covid patients being treated in Harrogate hospital — the highest ever figure.

However, Public Health England reported just 17 new infections in the Harrogate district today.

It is one of the lowest daily totals so far this year.

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The figure takes the total number of cases since March to 6,777.

The district’s seven-day covid rate has fallen to 177 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average has also dropped to 153, while the England rate stands at 243.

Killinghall and Hampsthwaite remains the area in the district with the highest number of covid cases in the past seven days, with 32 reported.

A further 44 covid cases confirmed in Harrogate district

A further 44 covid cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate district today by Public Health England.

It takes the total number of cases since March to 6,760.

The district’s seven-day rate has dropped slightly to 180 people per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average is 160 while the England rate stands at 256.

Killinghall and Hampsthwaite remains the worst-hit sub-district, with 35 infections in the last seven days.

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Meanwhile, Harrogate District Hospital has recorded another death of a patient who tested positive for coronavirus.

The covid death toll at the hospital now stands at 133. NHS England figures show the death was reported yesterday.

Elsewhere, Richard Webb, director of adult care at North Yorkshire County Council, said today case figures in care homes “remain static”. 

Of the 235 care settings in the county, which includes care homes and extra care facilities, 77 have one or more positive covid cases. 

Fifty-six have outbreaks, which is classed as two or more, while 114 staff and residents have covid. 

The number of large outbreaks, defined as 10 or more cases, have decreased from nine to three in the past week.