Coronavirus York updates, 5th February 2021

Deaths

TWO more hospital deaths have been announced. Both occurred on Wednesday.

There have now been 500 COVID-19 related deaths at the York and Scarborough hospitals since 1st September 2020

Test results

There were FIFTY FIVE (55) additional positive test results announced today. That brings the cumulative total up to 11,306.

As forecast, the latest (31/1/21) validated rate /100k population figure has increased to 184.7 (up from 179 yesterday).

However, this figure is expected to reduce to under 170 at the beginning of next week.

Infection rates have tended to stabilise at all levels today.

Neighbourhoods

The spike in cases (mentioned above) means that some neighbourhoods have climbed into a higher category today.

Hopefully that trend will be reversed tomorrow.

Testing

During the 7 days ending on 31st January 2021, 5398 people in York were given PCR tests.

Of these, 7.9% were positive. That is an increase of 0.1% over yesterday.

1311 lateral flow tests were also carried out in the City on 4th February 2021

Vaccinations

National and regional

Hospitals

There are now 173 COVID-19 patients being cared for by the York Hospital Trust. 14 are in intensive care.

York Council commentary

The York Council has updated its open data COVID-19 commentary. It is reproduced below for convenience

People with Covid Symptoms

• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 1.2.21 there had been 149 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 3.2.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 399.5 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 4,708 people). The peak rate was 1,282.6 on 7.1.21.

Diagnosed cases

• As at 4.2.21 York has had 11,251 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 5,341.9 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (6,056.2) and regional (5,938.4) 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 no. of new cases is worsening. The latest rating for York (1.2.21) is Green.

• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 27.1.21 to 2.2.21 in York is 156.7 (using data published on Gov.uk on 4.2.21).

• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 24.1.21 to 30.1.21 was 178.5. The national and regional averages at this date were 260.6 and 202.8 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 4.2.21).

• York is currently ranked 17th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.

• For the 7 day period 23.1.21.to 29.1.21, 7 wards in York (Acomb, Westfield, Rawcliffe & Clifton Without, Strensall, Holgate, Dringhouses and Woodthorpe and Copmanthorpe) have seen a statistically significant fall in rates compared with the 7 day period 16.1.21 to 22.1.21. For the remaining wards there has been no statistically significant change in rates. No wards have seen a significant increase in rates in this period.

• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 24.1.21 to 30.1.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 175.5. The national and regional averages were 207.5 and 159.4 respectively.

• As at 1.2.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 7.3%. The national and regional averages are 9.6% and 8.2% respectively.

• As at 1.2.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 0.52%. The national and regional averages are 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.

• As at 2.2.21, the latest 14 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 and 2 PCR tests combined) was 8.3%. The national and regional averages were 10.7% and 8.7% respectively. The breakdown for York over the last 14 days is a 7.9% positivity rate for Pillar 1 tests and an 8.4% positivity rate for Pillar 2 PCR tests. Source PHE

• As at 3.2.21 York University reported 40 individuals within the University community who were currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. The peak number was 331 on the 19.10.20.

• As at 1.2.21 York St. John reported 9 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

• Since 28.5.20 a total of 10,309 laboratory confirmed CYC Covid cases have been uploaded into the NHS Test and Trace system and 9,277 of the cases have been completed (90%). 24,347 ‘contacts’ have been identified and 18,172 of these have been completed (74.6%). Source: PHE Report.

• Local Tracing of Cases: Between 22.10.20 and 29.1.21, 842 ‘actionable’ positive COVID-19 CYC cases have been referred to the local contact tracing service. 809 of the referrals (96.1%) have been actioned and 33 are still ‘in progress. Of the referrals actioned, 538 (66.5%) were successful and 271 (33.5%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible.

Cases in Residential Settings / Schools

• As at 4.2.21 there were 6 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 was reported by PHE on 4.2.21 (1 home).

• In the 7 days up to 31.1.21 there were 28 children of primary and secondary school age who tested positive. NB Currently the majority of York children are not in the school setting.

COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital

• As at 3.2.21 there were 119 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General and Acute beds. The previous figure on 2.2.21 was 125

• As at 3.2.21 there were 10 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 0 suspected Covid-19 patient in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The previous figures on 2.2.21 were 8 and 0 respectively.

• As at 3.2.21 there had been 0 patients admitted with suspected Covid-19 and 5 with confirmed Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours.

• As at 3.2.21 there had been 16 confirmed patients discharged with COVID-19 in last 24 hours.

Covid Patients (CYC Residents) discharged from York Hospital

• Between 25.1.21 and 31.1.21, 57 CYC residents were discharged from York hospital after needing NHS care for symptoms linked to covid-19 infection.

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 29.1.21 was estimated to be in the range 0.8 to 1.1. The previous estimate was (0.8 to 1.1) on 22.1.21.

Vaccinations

• As at 3.2.21 37,673 CYC residents have received the first dose and 1,034 had received both doses.

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 enables a breakdown by age and gender. The most recently available data is summarised below:

• ONS weekly data: In the most recent week (16.1.20 to 22.1.20) 30 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (19 in hospital, 3 at home or in a hospice and 8 in a care home).

• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 22nd January 2020 and registered up to 30th January 2021, 293 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (165 in hospital, 105 in care homes, 16 at home and 7 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 139.1 which is lower than the national average of 171.7

• Local Registrar data (Cumulative): Since the start of the pandemic (using data for deaths occurring up to 27.1.21), a cumulative total of 299 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 82.4, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of those dying in York is older than the national average. 147 of the 299 were male (49.2%), less than the national average (54.7%). 99 people (33.1%) died in nursing /care homes; (the national average is 22.9%). In addition 24 people (8.03%) who normally resided in nursing/care homes in the CYC area, died in hospital.

Police Commissioner poll to go ahead in May

The government has said that elections for regional Police and Crime Commissioners WILL take place in May. The elections were cancelled last year as a result of the pandemic.

Locally Commissioner Julia Mulligan continued in office for another year. She had already been de-selected as a candidate by the Conservative Party.

Details of the governments plan can be read here. They indicate how processes will change in order to avoid the spread of infections.

Although electors can still vote in person, most are expected to take advantage of the option of using a postal vote. There will also be a last minute option for anyone to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf if they are tested positive for COVID-19.

There is a requirement for everyone participating in the process to wear a face mask.

The government has controversially instructed candidates and their supporters not to leaflet or canvass for support. They will be able to use “on line” publicity and – paid for – deliveries using approved suppliers such as Royal Mail. Whether candidates will be able to afford to use that option is another matter.

Only 1 in 5 electors actually voted when PCCs last went to the polls in 2016.

The post may be abolished anyway within the next 2 years if the government presses ahead with its plan to replace them with “elected mayors”.

Some are betting that this poll will attract a record low turnout!

Crichton Avenue and Wigginton Road junction -roadworks start next week

Ageing and outdated traffic signals at the Crichton Avenue and Wigginton Road junction are set to be replaced from next week, by City of York Council.

Works are estimated to take around six weeks to complete and will start on Monday 8 February. Works were initially due to start in January, but were postponed due to the impact of lockdown.

New, more reliable, traffic signals will be installed on the junction of Crichton Avenue and Wigginton Road. Layout changes are being made to make the junction work more efficiently, this will include introducing new pedestrian crossings, extended double yellow lines on the ‘access road’, kerb line changes and removing the small pedestrian island on Crichton Avenue.

The new traffic signals will be cheaper to run and more reliable. It will also enable the new systems to link direct to the council’s Traffic and Control Centre, so that the Network Monitoring Officers can manage the flow of traffic better in busy periods by adjusting traffic lights to best suit traffic conditions.

To help minimise disruption work will be carried out from 9am to 4.30pm during the week and also will take place on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 4pm. Temporary signals replicating, as closely as possible, the current operation of the junction will be in place throughout the works.

During the works it is anticipated that there will be significant delays when travelling through the junction.
Those using the junction are urged to plan ahead, allow more time for journeys on these routes and to consider alternatives and to use public transport where possible. Bus services will be operating as normal for the majority of the works but passengers are advised to visit the iTravel website for more information.

Some temporary footway closures will be in place to allow works to be undertaken, however, full access will be retained to all businesses and properties during construction and pedestrian and cyclist routes through the works will be clearly signed. Access to and from the Foss Islands foot/cycleway will be maintained at all times throughout the works.

To find out more about the scheme visit this website.

Roadworks to take place in February and March

Hamilton Drive East affected from Monday

Two men wearing bright orange safety clothing stand behind a road maintenance truck, smiling at the camera

City of York Council will be carrying out essential roadworks on key roads in York including Hamilton Drive East, Huntington Road and Haxby Road throughout February and March.

The following works are being undertaken:

Hamilton Drive East:

Works will take place overnight on Monday 8 February (weather permitting) between 7.30pm to midnight.

In order to carry out the work safely, the road will need to be closed for the duration of the works from, but not including, the junction of Holgate Road up to, but not including, the junction of Barbara Grove. The road will be fully open outside of works times.

Huntington Road:

Works will start from Monday 8 March for a period of two weeks (weather permitting) between 7.30pm to 5am.

The works have been split in to two phases to minimise disruption:

Phase 1 – Road closed from, but not including, the junction of Ramsey Close up to, but not including, the junction of Fossway / Haley’s Terrace. This work is scheduled Monday 8 March until Friday 12 March.

During phase 1 Bus Service 14 will divert via Heworth Green, Dodsworth Avenue and Fossway in both directions.

Phase 2 – Complete closure of the junction of Huntington Rd / Haley’s Terrace and Fossway. Somerset Road will also be closed. This work is scheduled Monday 15 March until Friday 19 March.

During phase 2 Bus Services 5/5A will divert via Haxby Road and Link Rd in both directions (not serving Haley’s Terrace or Huntington Rd). Bus Service 14 will divert via Heworth Green, Malton Rd, Elmfield Ave, Monkton Rd and Byland Ave in both directions (not serving Huntington Rd between Monkgate roundabout and Byland Ave junction).

In addition to the above, kerbing and drainage works will take place on Monday 1 March for a period of five days working 9.15am – 4pm. These works will be carried out under local traffic management, will not affect access/egress and the road will be open as normal. Parking will be suspended in sections to enable us to carry out the works.

Haxby Road:

Works will start from Monday 22 March for a period of five nights (weather permitting) between 7.30pm – 5am.

In order to carry out the work safely, the use of a full road closure from, but not including, the junction of Walpole Street up to, and including, the junction of Rose Street will be necessary whilst works are taking place.

The bollards at Fountayne Street and Vyner Street will be removed during the hours of works to allow residents access and egress via Wigginton Road.

Bus Services 1, 5 and 5A will divert via Lord Mayor’s Walk, Monkgate and Huntington Road.

In addition to the above, kerbing and drainage works will take place from 15 February for a period of five days working 9.15am – 4pm.

During all of the above schemes, road closures may be necessary to ensure that adequate health and safety is maintained for both local residents, the travelling public and the contractor. Site staff will be on hand to advise and assist residents about any access restrictions once the works are ongoing.

If on-street parking is suspended residents have been notified in advance. Parking may be suspected during the hours of the works for the full duration, but specific access requirements can be arranged by speaking to the site Traffic Management Operatives, who will coordinate with residents (and business requirements) around the ongoing work operations.

The contractor will be operating under social distancing guidance wherever possible due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Emergency services will be permitted through the works at all times. However, please note that cyclists will be required to dismount and push their bikes along the footways.

As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience to the public. However, the contractor will at all times try to keep any disruption to a minimum.

For more info about current roadworks in York visit our website.