Coronavirus York updates; 12th September 2020

Deaths and test results

An additional TEN positive test results have been announced today. That brings the cumulative total number of cases in the City up to 1027.

There have been no additional deaths

There is currently a spike in cases in the Westfield, Strensall and Osbaldwick neighbourhoods

Council commentary

The Council has updated its commentary on the pandemic which can be found on the open data web site. It is reproduced below.

Diagnosed cases (Pillar 1&2 combined)

• As at 10.9.20 York has had 1,008 cases, a rate of 478.6 per 100,000 of population. The rate in York is lower than national (549.2) and regional (704.8) averages. The most recent cases in York had a test specimen date of 7.9.20 (6 cases).

• 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 no. of new cases is worsening. The latest rating for York (7.9.20) is Red. The rating was triggered by a higher than ‘expected’ number of cases per 100 tests four times in the last 14 days (5 cases with a specimen date of 25.8.20, 6 cases on 1.9.20, 7 cases on 2.9.20 and 7 cases on 3.9.20). We know that in recent weeks the number of cases have been low in York which has an effect on the thresholds used to determine the RAG rating – a small change can mean the difference between a red, amber and green rating. The exceedance rating should not be considered in isolation but in context alongside other factors such as the recent total number of cases, COVID related deaths, outbreaks as well as changes in the local testing regime and local hotspot analysis.

• The latest weekly National Covid-19 Surveillance Report released on 4.9.20 and covering the week up to 30.8.20, showed that the 7 day rate of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population tested under Pillar 1 and 2 was 7.15 for York. York was ranked 42nd out of 149 local authorities (with 1 being the lowest rate).

• The latest validated 7 day rate of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population for York is 14.72. This is for the 7 day period up to 4.9.20. This excludes cases with a sample date in the last few days due to partial data and lags in reporting. The rate in York is increasing but remains lower than national (21.9) and regional (31.2) averages.

• As at 7.9.20, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 only) was 1.65% (35 positives out of 2,117 tests). The positivity rate in York is increasing but remains lower than national (2.4%) and regional (3.1%) averages.

• As at 8.9.20 the latest 14 day positivity rate in York was 1.3% overall (2.0% for Pillar 2 and 0.2% for Pillar 1). The rate in York is lower than national (2.4%) and regional (3.4%) rates.

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 is useful as it provides a breakdown by age and gender. The most recently available data is summarised below:

• ONS weekly data: For deaths occurring up to 28st August 2020 and registered up to 5th September 2020, 171 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (83 in hospital, 76 in care homes, 9 at home and 3 in a hospice. The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 81.19 which is lower than the national average of 88.25. The most recent death reported for a York resident was in week 31 (25 to 31 July).

• ‘Excess’ deaths (ONS). In week 35 (22 August to 28 August), 24 deaths occurred in York, which is 6 fewer than the average weekly number for 2014-18. Over the last 14 weeks the total number of deaths in York has been 46 fewer than the average for the equivalent weeks in 2014-18.

• Local Registrar data: In the weekly data received on 7.9.20 (for deaths occurring up to 2.9.20), a cumulative total of 162 deaths of CYC residents where COVID-19 was mentioned (confirmed or suspected) on the death certificate, have been registered. The average age of the people who died was 82.47, with an age range of 53-104. The age profile of those dying in York is slightly older than the national average. 86 of the 162 were male (53.1%), slightly less than the national average (55%). 81 of the deaths occurred in hospital and 81 were community deaths (e.g. at home or in a care home or hospice). 70 people (43.2%) died in nursing /care homes (the national average is 29.6%). In addition 13 people (8%) who normally resided in nursing/care homes in the CYC area, died in hospital.

Data on deaths occurring in hospital are shown below. Deaths are initially reported for York NHS Foundation Trust which includes Scarborough Hospital and the further breakdown by site can be delayed. From local registrar data, 58.5% of COVID-19 deaths occurring at York Hospital have been CYC residents. (NB NHS Trusts record deaths following a positive covid-19 test whereas ONS record deaths where covid-19 in mentioned on the death certificate so the totals are not the same).

• Deaths at York Hospital: As at 9.9.20, 134 deaths of people who had tested positive for COVID-19 and were being cared for at York Hospital have been reported. 214 deaths have been reported by the wider York NHS Trust.

York says ‘we’ve got it covered’

Let's be York; safe, welcoming, considerate

Partners across York have joined forces to launch a campaign to reassure residents that safety measures have been put in place across the city.

The campaign encourages wider use of face coverings, hand washing and social distancing, in order to stop the spread of coronavirus.

With children returning to school, businesses opening their doors and the city preparing to welcome students, the city is showing how people are coming together to look after one another.

Over the coming weeks, the ‘we’ve got it covered campaign’ will show how organisations have put in place measures to make it easier for people to follow public health advice, in order to protect themselves and each other.

Those who can wear a face covering are being asked to wear one in any space they can’t socially distance from people outside their household, both indoors and outdoors.

The campaign is part of the Let’s Be York initiative encouraging people to be safe, welcoming and considerate in our fantastic city and to protect each other. The campaign will also remind people that, for very good reason, some individuals may not be able to wear a face covering and to support them as they move around the city safely. It will also recognise the importance of handwashing, social distancing and staying at home and getting tested if you have symptoms.

A range of partners have come together to support the campaign, which shows how “we’ve got it covered” with the simple steps we can all take to protect each other.

Partners involved in the campaign are: City of York Council, NHS Vale of York CCG, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, York BID, University of York, York St John University, York College, Askham Bryan College, First York, York CVS and St Leonard’s Hospice.

People can find out more details about the campaign and how they can get involved at: https://www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/campaigns/weve-got-it-covered

York gives green light to e-scooter trial with TIER

City of York Council has announced a year-long e-scooter trial and selected Europe’s leading operator TIER to run the game-changing technology on its streets.

The first e-scooters will be deployed at the University of York in a few weeks, offering residents a new, green and Covid-safe mode of transport for getting around the city. Discussions are taking place as to whether York Hospital will also be able to host the scheme

The Department for Transport-approved scheme, will initially see up to 100 e-scooters deployed, with more e-scooters and TIER e-bikes to come. Renting an e-scooter in York will cost riders £1 to unlock the vehicle and 15p per minute travelled.

After a highly competitive tender process involving over 15 other applicants, City of York Council selected TIER as sole operator because of the company’s pioneering approach to safety, ability to ensure orderly parking and its unrivalled sustainability credentials.

TIER scooters come with industry-leading safety features including an integrated helmet, the largest front wheel in the market, a wider foot plate, dual suspension, a double kick-stand and dual drum brakes for stable riding on uneven surfaces and conditions.

TIER, founded in 2018 and already in 70 cities across Europe, was the first e-scooter operator in the world to become climate-neutral and is rolling out swappable batteries across its fleet, removing the need to collect and transport the vehicles to a warehouse for charging. York will benefit from this leading model. The company is also demonstrating its financial sustainability, becoming profitable in only its second year.

Police appeal for information after man is seriously assaulted on Green Lane, Acomb

Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious assault which left a man with significant facial injuries, to contact them.

At around 10pm on Thursday 10 September 2020, the victim, a 44-year-old man from York, left the Clockhouse Pub on Kingsway in Acomb with one other male. The victim was wearing a dark coloured jumper and dark tracksuit style bottoms.

As the victim was walking down Green Lane, he was approached by an unknown male who was seen to speak to the victim and then subject him to a serious assault. The unknown male then left the scene.

The victim was taken to York District Hospital with significant facial fractures. He currently remains in hospital in a stable condition.

A dark coloured vehicle, believed to be a SAAB, was seen in the area shortly before the assault. Officers are particularly keen to trace this vehicle as the occupants may have important information which could assist their enquiries. Members of the public who were travelling in the area at the time of the incident, who may have captured dash cam footage are also encouraged to come forward.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information which would assist the investigation is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask to speak to DC 1798 CAREY. You can also email paul.carey@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. Please quote reference 12200159013.

If you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.