The York Council announced last week that it had obtained external funding for the planned new “forest” near Knapton.
Ironically the first signs of activity on the proposed site have been tree felling works over recent days. (Clearly some of the trees were diseased).
No sign yet of any environmental evaluation.
The expectation was that there would be an attempt made to justify turning good quality agricultural land into a forest, with benefits and adverse consequences clearly enumerated.
Seems that will not happen nor has any public consultation on layout and other options yet started.
No deaths have been reported by the York Hospital Trust today
This means that the daily average hospital death rate has fallen from a peak of six on 21st January to two today.
The death rate is expected to continue to fall.
Test Results
Twenty-nine additional positive test results were announced today. That brings the cumulative total to 11,721.
The rate /100k population figure has fallen to 66.0.
However, infection numbers in the pipeline are showing a small spike.
This means that the rate will increase tomorrow and it may be towards the end of the week before a further fall in the rate could be expected.
The rate, compared to the decline seen towards the end of the second wave of infections, continues to follow a broadly similar trajectory (including short term spikes in infection numbers).
It isn’t just York that faces an occasional spike in case numbers. Infection rates have increased at both county and regional level today.
Neighbourhoods
Goods news today with only two neighbourhoods now above the 100 case rate benchmark.
There are currently 139 cases in the City. This is the lowest number recorded since 12th December 2020
This may be as good as it gets for a few days because of the spike in case numbers which are in the pipeline (see above).
It is also unclear whether the half term holiday, and recent good weather, may also have an impact
Vaccinations
Around 33% of adults in the UK have now been offered their first COVID-19 vaccination. Full coverage is now expected to be achieved by July.
People aged 64 are set to be contacted this week. click
Tests
4475 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 16th February.
Of these 3.4 % were positive. This represents a further fall in positivity numbers.
622 lateral flow test were conducted on 20th February
Thanet Road
Symptom-free Covid testing is available again at the Acorn Rugby Club car park on Thanet Road on Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd February, 9am to 3pm.
You will be able to book a test from the evening of Sunday 21st February at www.nhs.uk/Coronavirus and selecting the option that you were asked to attend by your local council.
