A Liberal Democrat view of life in the City of York. This website is edited by Steve Galloway who represented the Westfield area on the City of York Council between 1973 and 2011.
#Coronavirus #York updates; 13th June 2021, 18 positive test results. Total now 12,608. cases up from 82 to 97.Rat… https://t.co/weCVpiFkfV
Dusty, dry, secretive, academic, mysterious, impenetrable – mainstream media often portrays archives (and archivists!) in these terms. This is despite the continuing efforts of the profession to ensure collections are open and accessible to all.
Explore York Libraries and Archives have partnered with Bright White Ltd, an innovator in digital storytelling, to slay the ˜dusty archives” dragon once and for all. Together, they are developing the prototype for the Explore Archives Storytelling Tool (EAST), which will allow the archives to be explored in new interactive ways.
Bright White’s creative developers Chris Walker and Andy Nye, along with Explore’s Civic Archivist Julie-Ann Vickers, will talk about the idea behind the new tool and their journey in developing the prototype.
As part of the event, you’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a demonstration of this next-generation archives experience for the first time in its development.
About the speakers:
Chris Walker is a Founding Director of the multi-award-winning design consultancy Bright White Ltd. Working predominantly in the museums and heritage sector, the company creates and implements innovative uses of technology in museum interpretation.
Andy Nye has spent 20 years in digital and has a proven track-record of concept creation, design and implementation. Since 2013 immersive technology has been a key part of his work. He has appeared on panels at shows such as the Wearable Technology Show and H+K’s influencer event, spoken at TEDx York and regularly hosts workshops on new technology.
Dr Julie-Ann Vickers is an archivist at Explore York Libraries and Archives. She has worked in local authority archives throughout Yorkshire as well as archives in Oxford, Suffolk and Leicester. She has a background in medieval history but her recent work has focussed on the 19th and 20th century records of York
We hope that residents will check and trim their boundary hedges at the same time. Several public footpaths are now obstructed by recent growth.
Some hedges are obstructing footpaths
Meanwhile the Council has, somewhat belatedly, got round to mowing local public open spaces. This has left a bit of a mess in some parks because of the large amount of grass clippings
UPDATE
Residents have collected 10 large bags of rubbish during todays Foxwood litter pick. Part of the Great British Spring Clean
Twenty-five positive test results today brings case total up to 12,562
The 24 cases recorded on Tuesday was the highest single day total seen since 20th February.
Case numbers remain at 65 but with a significant trend upwards expected from tomorrow
The rate /100k population is still 30.86 but the spike is in the pipeline will see the rate increase to over 50 next week.
The rate of increase in infection rate has similarities with the surge seen last September/October, but is not yet as severe.
The R rate in the region is now estimated to be over 1 meaning that the pandemic is growing again. This seems to have been caused by the arrival of the more virulent “Delta ” variant coupled to the relaxation of restrictions, school half term etc.
Over 90% of positive test results are being recorded by people aged under 60. The heatmap below shows a high infection rate in the 10 -19 age groups
Infection rates are increasing significantly at all levels.
Neighbourhoods
Vaccinations
775 vaccinations were completed on Thursday in York. That is the lowest this month and down from a peak of 2,322 jabs last Saturday.
Tests
4871 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 6th June 2021
Of these, 1.3% were positive. That is the same proportion as that found during the previous period
In addition, 2380 “lateral flow” tests were conducted on 10th June.
Council commentary updated
The York Council’s commentary on the pandemic, which can be found on “open data” has been updated. It is reproduce below.
The data is accurate as at 8.00 a.m. on Friday 11.06.21. Some narrative for the data covering the latest period is provided here below:
People with Covid Symptoms
• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 7.6.21 there had been 70 total covid triages in the CYC area in the last 7 days. The peak number of triages was 653 in the 7 day period to 20.9.20.
• As at 10.6.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 331 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 3,954 people). The peak rate was 1,283 on 7.1.21.
Diagnosed cases
• As at 10.6.21 York has had 12,537 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 5,953 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (7,040) and regional (7,404) averages.
• The PHE ‘Exceedance’ rating compares the no. of new cases over a 14 day period with the previous 6 weeks and provides a RAG rating to indicate if the previously observed trend in the number of new cases is worsening. The latest rating for York (7.6.21) is Red.
• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 2.6.21 to 8.6.21 in York is 46.5 (98 cases). (Using data published on Gov.uk on 10.6.21).
• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 30.5.21 to 5.6.21 in York was 30.9 (65 cases). The national and regional averages at this date were 50.3 and 54 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 10.6.21).
• York is currently ranked 65th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in England with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.
• For the 7 day period 29.5.21.to 4.6.21, the number of cases in each ward varied from 0 to 7 and rates varied from 0 to 96.5 per 100,000. 3 wards had zero cases.
• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 30.5.21 to 5.6.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 2.0 (1 case). The national and regional averages were 10.3 and 12.0 respectively.
• As at 8.6.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 2.66%. The national and regional averages are 3.3% and 3.9% respectively.
• As at 8.6.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 0.26%. The national and regional averages are 0.3% and 0.3% respectively.
• As at 8.6.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 tests only) was 0.2%. The national average is 0.4%.
• As at 4.6.21 York University reported 1 individual within the University community who was currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. The peak number was 331 on the 19.10.20.
• As at 7.6.21 York St. John reported 2 individuals within the University community who were currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. The peak number was 82 on the 8.10.20.
Contact Tracing
• Local Contact Tracing. Between 10.3.21 and 4.6.21, 291 referrals had been actioned by the local contact tracing service. Of the referrals actioned, 273 (93.8%) were successful and 18 (6.2%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible. (NB on the 10.3.21 the local CYC team became responsible for contacting all cases rather than just those that the national team could not contact).
Cases in Residential Care Settings
• As at 10.6.21 there were 0 care homes in the CYC area with confirmed Covid-19 infection (at least 1 case of either a staff member or resident).
• The latest ‘outbreak’ (2+ cases) in a residential care setting in York were reported by PHE on 25.2.21 (1 home).
Cases amongst School Aged Children
• In the 7 days up to 7.6.21 there were 14 children of primary or secondary school age who tested positive (across 8 different schools).
COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital
• As at 8.6.21 there were 2 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General/Acute beds. The peak number was 157 on 19.1.21.
• As at 8.6.21 there were 0 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 0 suspected Covid-19 patients in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The peak number for people in ITU was 19 on 10.5.20.
R Number
• The ‘R’ value (the number of people that one infected person will pass on a virus to, on average) for the North East and Yorkshire area on 4.6.21 was estimated to be in the range 0.9 to 1.1. The previous estimate was (0.8 to 1.0) on 28.5.21.
Variants of Concern
• Published data from Public Health England shows that in York, up to 2.6.21, there had been less than five confirmed cases of the Delta Variant of Concern (VOC-21APR-02) which was first identified in India. More recent provisional data is available on cases where the test was processed in a laboratory which can identify Variants of Concern. This shows that over half of new cases in the most recent month in York were likely to be the Delta Variant.
Total Vaccinations
• As at 9.6.21 a total of 123,812 CYC residents have had the first dose of the vaccine. This represents 58.8% of the estimated total population of York and 71.2% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.
• As at 9.6.21 a total of 85,501 CYC residents have had both doses of the vaccine. This represents 40.6% of the estimated total population of York and 49.1% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.
Deaths
The two sources about deaths from Covid-19 at LA level are ONS data and local registrar data. They are derived from the same source (civil registration data). ONS data is more comprehensive as it includes deaths of York residents which have occurred and been registered outside York. Local registrar data provides a breakdown by age and gender. The most recently available data is summarised below:
• ONS Weekly data: In the most recent period (Week 21: 22.5.21 to 28.5.21) 0 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents. The last death from Covid-19 for a CYC resident occurred in Week 17 (24.4.21 to 30.4.21)
• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 28th May 2021 and registered up to 5th June 2021, 396 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (228 in hospital, 135 in care homes, 25 at home/elsewhere and 8 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 188.02 which is lower than the national average of 232.44
• Age / Gender breakdown (using registrar data): The average age of the CYC residents who died was 82.1, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of the CYC residents who have died is older than the national average (79.5% were aged 75+ compared with 73% nationally). 47.9% of the CYC residents who died were male. The national average is 54.4%.
City of York Council has been awarded a further £1 million of funding to improve the energy efficiency of homes in York, leading to lower fuel bills and improved comfort.
Some 60 private sector homes will receive extra cavity wall insulation, draft proofing, attic or loft insulation, while 110 council homes will benefit from additional energy efficiency measures.
To qualify for the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), homeowners or private tenants need to have a household income of less than £30,000 per year and have a property with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G. Some EPC D rates may be eligible.
Of the £1m, £550,000 will go towards improving council homes with additional energy efficiency measures and solar PV panels installed on roofs lowering electricity bills for tenants.
The remainder will be used to improve energy efficient in 60 private rented/owner occupier homes through the Home Upgrade Grant. This provides insulation grants for lower income home owners and private landlords with lower income tenants. They can apply for insulation for attic rooms, cavity walls and loft insulation, as well as draught proofing.
The funding has been secured from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Local Authority Delivery Funding. The project is being delivered in partnership with Better Homes Yorkshire, Eclipse Energy and Heat Insulation.
If you are a homeowner, private tenant or landlord, find out more about the scheme, to see if you’re eligible and to apply, please contact Better Homes Yorkshire on 0800 597 1500 or emailbetterhomes@york.gov.uk. More about energy efficient schemes is at www.york.gov.uk/HUG
Nineteen additional positive test results today. Brings the cumulative total up to 12,518
The number of cases in the City has increased from 62 to 65.
The rate /100k population is now 30.86. This is the first time it has been over 30 since late March.
However, following another 24 positive test results on Tuesday, the rate is expected to hit around 47 over the weekend.
Neighbourhoods
12 neighbourhoods now have 3 or more cases in each
Vaccinations
Little progress has been made with first jabs in the City over the last few days. Only 159 injections over 3 days. It has been suggested that inadequate supplies of the Moderna/Pfizer vaccine are to blame. This is the preferred jab for the younger cohort (Under 30’s) who are currently next on the list for an injection.
Second dose vaccination numbers are holding up well, with more than 50% of the population likely to have been inoculated by the end of the weekend.
The neighbourhood level progress reports on vaccinations have been published today. We are publishing both the first dose and the second dose outturns.
The second dose table is probably the most important given government advice that both doses are needed to get maximum protection.
There is a wide variance between the area with the highest proportion of vaccinated adults (Haxby, 70.5%) and the lowest (Tang Hall 27.1%).
This can mostly be explained by the variance in age profiles with those neighbourhoods with large student populations (aged under 25) not due to get most of their first doses until towards the end of the month
Tests
4763 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 5th June
Of these, 1.3% proved to be positive. This is an increase on the previous figure of 1.2%
In addition 3124 “lateral flow” tests were conducted on 9th June
Outbreak Management Board
Some new information emerged at yesterday’s COVID management board meeting.
There has been a substantial growth in the City of cases of the COVID-19 variant which originated in India. It is expected, like elsewhere, to become the dominant strain over the next few days.
The Council are not advised of the vaccination status of those testing positive for the virus. They rely on national stats which say that only small numbers of vaccinated people fall victim to the virus.
The largest number of new cases are currently being found in the 10 -19 age group
Most tests currently involve school children.
The Council cannot say what proportion of positive tests are from people who are asymptomatic.
There is a lack of public awareness that free home testing kits are available.
There has been no local follow up of people who may have come into contact with someone who has the disease. More extensive tracing will start shortly. There will be an option for contacts to have daily tests rather than have to quarantine at home.
There may be a dedicated vaccination centre set up at the University of York when the programme moves on (possibly next week) to the 18 – 25 age group.
Consideration is being given to setting up a vaccinate hub in the City centre (although take up rates in the City are relatively high)
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about an incident that occurred on Askham Lane in York.
It is believed to have happened at around 1pm on Tuesday 8 June 2021, and involved a man in his 80s from York who was seriously injured as a result of the incident. He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary by air ambulance.
The incident is believed to have occurred on Askham Lane, York, between the junctions of Cornlands Road and Tedder Road, which was closed while officers investigated the scene.
The cyclist was found to have fallen from his bicycle. There do not appear to have been any other vehicles involved, although this cannot be entirely ruled out at this stage.
Officers are therefore appealing for witnesses to the incident, or anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, to get in touch as soon as possible to assist the investigation. If you can help, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Chris Storey. You can also email chris.storey@northyorkshire.police.uk. Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210135005.
