The Harrogate district has recorded 31 covid cases in the last 24 hours as infection rates continue to decline sharply.

It is the joint lowest daily figure since June 20, when 15 infections were recorded.

According to the latest seven-day figures, the district has an average of 348 covid cases per 100,000 people. It was as high as 534 just nine days ago.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 376 and the England average is 373.

Harrogate District Hospital has not recorded a covid-related death in three-and-a-half months.

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It means the covid death toll at the hospital since March 2020 remains at 179.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the hospital is treating three covid patients.

Elsewhere, 122,555 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 103,213 have had a second dose.

A total of 100 covid infections have been reported in the Harrogate district today, according to latest Public Health England figures.

However, no covid-related deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital in more than three months and hospitalisations remain low at just three.

NHS England figures show that the covid death toll at the hospital since March 2020 remains at 179.

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The district’s seven-day average infection rate now stands at 532 cases per 100,000 people, which is the same average as England. The North Yorkshire average is 585.

Ripon south and east remains the covid hotspot, with 83 infections recorded in the last seven days. Central Harrogate, with 53, is the next highest.

The Harrogate district has recorded its highest covid rate since the start of the pandemic.

Today’s figure shows that the district has a seven-day average of 509 infections per 100,000 people.

It has surpassed the seven-day average of 497 that was recorded on January 7.

The overall North Yorkshire rate stands at 570 and the England average is 520.

Another 118 infections were recorded in the district today by Public Health England.

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However, no covid-related deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital in more than three months.

NHS England figures show that the covid death toll at the hospital since March 2020 remains at 179.

Latest statistics show that the hospital is treating five patients who tested positive for covid.

So far, 121,974 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 101,048 have had a second dose.

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.”

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.

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.

Another 73 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to today’s figures by Public Health England.

The district’s seven-day covid rate of infection has rocketed to 351 people per 100,000 — the highest in North Yorkshire.

The North Yorkshire average is 273 and the England rate is 272.

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

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

A total of 216,414 vaccinations have been given in the district, according to Public Health England statistics.

The number includes 119,202 people receiving a first dose and 97,212 second doses.

Another 75 covid infections have been recorded in the Harrogate district in the past 24 hours, according to Public Health England.

It is almost double yesterday’s figure of 42 and is the highest daily figure since January 13, when there were 86 infections.

However, separate figures released today by NHS England show the spike in infections is not leading to an increase in hospitalisations. There are currently two covid patients at Harrogate District Hospital – down from three last week, which suggests the vaccination programme is working.

The Harrogate district data reflects the national picture where cases have risen by almost 70% in a week but deaths have increased by just 11% and hospitalisations by 6%.

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The current seven-day rate of infection in the district is 173, slightly above the England rate of 172.

There have been no further covid-related deaths at Harrogate District Hospital. It means the death toll remains at 179.

The number of cases of the Delta variant in the Harrogate district has nearly quadrupled in the last two weeks.

According to latest Public Health England figures, 233 people tested positive for the variant in the week to June 23.

The figure is almost four times as high as it was in the week to June 9, when 61 confirmed cases were recorded.

Health managers first reported a “small number” of cases of the Delta variant were confirmed in North Yorkshire last month.

Weekly cases of the Delta variant in Harrogate district. Graph: the Stray Ferret. Data: Public Health England.

However, despite a surge in infections in recent weeks, just three people are currently being treated at Harrogate District Hospital for covid, according to the latest government data.

Daily cases of covid in the Harrogate district have reach double figures throughout June.

The graph below highlights how since the relaxation of lockdown measures on May 17 daily infections have increased. But over the same period the number of people in hospital with covid has remained low.

Additionally, no covid-related deaths have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital since April 11, according to NHS England data.

This suggests the vaccination programme is keeping people alive and out of hospital.

A total of 211,352 vaccinations have been given across the Harrogate district. Of those, 115,764 were first doses and 95,588 were second doses.

Daily new infections of covid (blue line) and number of patients (green line) in Harrogate District Hospital since May 17. Graph: the Stray Ferret. Data: Public Health England.

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

The North Yorkshire average is 134 and the England rate is 147.

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Thirty-four more covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district.

According to Public Health England figures, it takes the total number of infections since last March to 8,204.

The district’s seven-day covid rate currently stands at 103 case per 100,000 people.

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Elsewhere, the North Yorkshire rate is 93 and the England average is 112.

However, no covid-related deaths have been confirmed at Harrogate District Hospital since April 11.

The death toll at the hospital since the pandemic started remains at 179.