Harrogate district’s R number increases amid third lockdown

The Harrogate district’s R number has increased to 2.1 as the country enters another national lockdown.

It means the virus is spreading more in the district and for every 10 people infected, it spreads to 21 more.

The number, which refers to the reproduction rate, has increased over the past three weeks as cases continue to rise.

On December 15, the figure was just 0.6 – meaning the number of new cases was falling – but it now stands at 2.1 today.

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It comes as today’s figures revealed a further 95 cases of coronavirus in the district, taking the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic up to 4,883.

Meanwhile, the district no longer has the lowest seven-day case rate in North Yorkshire. The average increased to 359 per 100,000 people. Ryedale is now the lowest with 320, while Richmondshire remains the highest at 480.

Public health bosses in North Yorkshire today warned that cases will likely worsen in the county in the coming weeks until the lockdown begins to take effect.

The daily cases in the Harrogate District hit a record high yesterday after 141 were confirmed. Officials said today the new variant of coronavirus was almost certainly in the county.

Tier review: Harrogate district set for tougher restrictions

The Harrogate district looks set to move to a higher tier, and possibly even tier four, following a flurry of developments this afternoon.

Sharon Stolz, director of public health at City of York Council, told ITV News it was “inevitable” the city would face tougher restrictions in the coming days.

Any changes affecting York would also apply to the Harrogate district unless the government changes its policy of maintaining the same tier level across North Yorkshire.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to announce the outcome of the latest tier review tomorrow afternoon.

North Yorkshire is in tier two but Ms Stolz said this was “no longer sufficient to contain the spread of the virus”.

She said although the city had not seen large outbreaks yet, the numbers were creeping up.

Her comments came on the day the R number for the Harrogate district rose above one for the first time in over a month.

Ms Stolz added:

“Without some additional restrictions coming in, my worry is that we will just see the virus spread and we will start to see large outbreaks.

“So I think it is inevitable there will be some announcement tomorrow of additional restrictions for York.”

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Also today, Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton said he still wanted a “super local approach” that would allow some parts of the county to stay in tier two but added:

“Regrettably, I think we can reasonably expect York and North Yorkshire to enter a higher tier in the next few days, my best guess being the early hours of New Year’s Day.

“In terms of which tier, it appears that infection rates are not dropping significantly in those areas currently under tier three restrictions.

“My view then, and I speak as the parent of a child taking their A levels this year, I would prefer a shorter, sharper, shock with wider closure of the economy together with extended financial support for businesses and with schools providing a full timetable on an online-only basis until the end of January.

“At that point, with vaccinations starting to have meaningful effect we should be through the worst of this desperately damaging crisis.”

Mr Hollinrake’s comments came after a call today with North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which represents groups fighting covid in the county.
The forum has called an urgent media briefing for tomorrow amid growing speculation of a change of tier.

 

Harrogate district R number rises above one

The R number for the Harrogate district has risen above one for the first time in over a month.

It means the virus is now spreading faster in the district than it is being eradicated.

The R number refers to the rate at which the virus is reproducing. The latest increase means every 10 people infected will pass it on to 11.

The sub-districts with the most infections are Starbeck and Ouseburn, Hammerton and Tockwith, which have both recorded 20 in the last seven days.

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It comes as North Yorkshire is braced for a tier review tomorrow which could see the county placed under tougher restrictions.

The Harrogate district recorded a further 47 cases of coronavirus today, according to Public Health England.

It takes the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic up to 4,258.

The seven-day rate of infection in the district has increased to 126 per 100,000 people but remains the lowest in North Yorkshire.

Hambleton is the highest with 291 after its case average has soared in the last week.

Harrogate District Hospital also confirmed its first death since December 10 from a patient who tested positive for coronavirus.

The total number of coronavirus deaths at the hospital now stands at 107.

R number rises in Harrogate district as tier decision looms

The rate at which coronavirus is spreading in the Harrogate district has increased for the first time in more than a month.

The R number rose from 0.4 to 0.5 over the weekend after falling consistently since early November.

It means every 10 people infected pass on covid to five others, which means the virus is still diminishing in the district but at a slower rate.

The government is due to review tier levels on Wednesday, with any changes taking effect on Saturday.

It seems likely that North Yorkshire will remain in tier two.

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The seven-day average rate of infection for the county is 96 per 100,000 people, compared with an England average of 181.

The figure for the Harrogate district is 78, having peaked at over 300 early last month.

Starbeck has taken over as the district’s covid hotspot, with 21 infections in the lasts even days.

Knaresborough central is next highest with 14, followed by Knaresborough north with 13.