The level of coronavirus in the Harrogate district has continued to set new records, as the country’s chief medical officer warned of “avoidable deaths”.
A further 83 infections were confirmed in the district today by Public Health England, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 5,429.
It means the district’s seven-day rate is now 494 cases per 100,000 people.
Although high, the rate is below the England average of 610 cases per 100,000.
The growth rate hit 3.5 for the first time today, which means there have been 3.5 times more infections in the last 14 days than were recorded in the previous 14 days.
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Harrogate District Hospital has not recorded any coronavirus deaths today. However, the hospital did see another two patients who tested positive die yesterday.
Professor Chris Whitty, the country’s chief medical officer, warned this morning the “country is perhaps facing the most serious [battle] yet”.
Urging people to follow restrictions, he said:
“Hospitals are always busy in the winter but the NHS in some parts of the country is currently facing the most dangerous situation anyone can remember.
“If the virus continues on its current trajectory many hospitals will be in real difficulties, and very soon.
“This means that the time people wait for care will continue to increase to potentially unsafe levels.
“Hospitals won’t have room to take redirected emergency cases in regional networks, staff to patient ratios which are already stretched will become unacceptable even in places likes intensive care.
“There will be avoidable deaths.”