Coronavirus York updates 5th April 2021

Deaths

No further hospital deaths announced today.

The fatality rate has reduced from the rolling 7 day average of 5.7 seen on 21st January to 0.1 today.

Test results

Four additional positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 12,219

Four fewer cases today as the 7 case numbers fall from 50 to 46.

The rate /100k population rate has fallen to 21.84. It is set to fall below 20 for the first time since last September when figures are updated tomorrow.

Rates are falling at county and regional level

Neighbourhoods

All but two neighbourhoods have below the national average infection rates

Vaccinations

Not surprisingly, fewer vaccinations were completed on Easter Sunday

Tests

3,975 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 31st March 2021.

Of these, 1.0% were positive. This is less than the 1.2% positives found during the previous period.

2408 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 4th April 2021

Easing of restrictions confirmed

  • The lockdown easing next Monday will be going ahead as England has met the four tests. Boris Johnson confirms 12 April reopening of non-essential shops, outdoor hospitality and hairdressers in England
  • Government reveals traffic light system for foreign travel from 17 May at the earliest
  • Rapid, twice-weekly COVID tests to be offered to everyone in England – including home delivery
  • ‘Vaccine passports’ and before-and-after testing to be trialled at nine events – but no vaccine passports in April or May. COVID-status certificates are being considered both in the UK and for foreign travel – these could include proof of vaccination, a recent negative test result or natural immunity
  • Government scientists warn another wave ‘highly likely’ when restrictions end on 21 June
  • No decision has been taken yet on whether international travel can resume this summer
  • Some coronavirus measures may still be needed after all adults have had a vaccine

What is reopening on 12 May in England?

Boris Johnson has confirmed Step 2 of the lockdown roadmap will take place on 12 April thanks to a successful vaccine programme which is reducing hospital admissions and deaths and the risks are “not fundamentally changed” by new variants.

Indoor mixing of different households will still not be allowed.

  • Outdoor hospitality can reopen, including pubs and restaurants – with the rule of six or a larger group from two households
  • Customers will not have to buy a substantial meal to have an alcoholic drink and there will be no curfew but people will have to be seated when ordering and eating or drinking
  • Non-essential retail can reopen
  • Hairdressers, beauty and nail salons can reopen
  • Gyms and spas, but no saunas and steam rooms, can reopen
  • Public buildings, including libraries and communities centres, will reopen
  • Other outdoor hospitality such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas can reopen
  • Two specified people can visit care home residents
  • Children can attend indoor children’s activities, including sport
  • Parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children aged under five) can restart indoors
  • Self-catering holidays in the UK with your own household will be allowed
  • Funerals of up to 30 people. Weddings and wakes of up to 15 people.

£44 million to be spent on transport in York this year

Large budget but little being invested in west York

The Council has revealed its transport investment budget for the new financial year.

£44.2 million has been allocated to a range of improvements although the vast majority of the budget has been earmarked for dualling the outer ring road (£21.3 million) and improvements to the railway station frontage (£13.5 million). Neither of the schemes will be completed during the year as extensive preparatory works are required.

£1.2 million will be spent on the ongoing programme of modernising traffic signals (this will include replacing the Front Street pelican crossing along with lights at 8 other locations across the City).

Residents of the west of the City will be disappointed to see that their neighbourhood has been snubbed when allocations from the pedestrian and cycling budget have been made. Not for the first-time investment, is being focused on the central and eastern parts of the City.

A welcome, but very modest, allocation has been made for bus shelter replacement (£100k). Many of the council owned shelters are looking very tatty now with a belated repainting programme proving to be “too little, too late” and failing to bring about a lasting improvement.  

Similarly, a £50,000 allocation for Public Rights of Way (PROW) structural repairs is long overdue.  Sadly, the budget will barely make a dent in the backlog of work need to stiles, signage, and repairs to flooded sections of path.

All in all then, a mixed picture.

Hopefully the highway maintenance allocations – which have still not been publicised – will be targeted at repairing the worst roads and paths many of which are located in west York.

  • Too many PROWs are inaccessible
  • Bus shelters are in poor condition
  • Cycle lanes are neglected