Coronavirus York updates; 21st April 2021

Deaths

One more death has been announced by the York Hospital Trust today. The fatality occurred yesterday

Test results

Ten additional positive test results today. Brings cumulative total up to 12,201

The number of cases in the City has increased from 24 yesterday to 29 today.

The rate /100k population has risen to 13.77. It is expected to rise to over 17 during the next few days. It remains below the national and regional averages

The infection trend is no longer following the trajectory downwards which was seen last May/June. The trend was slowly downwards then while today numbers are fluctuating at around 5 new cases each day.

The infection rate is also increasing in North Yorkshire which is now has a rate above the national average. The highest rate in North Yorkshire can be found in Selby (51.9)

Neighbourhoods

Still 4 neighbourhoods with case rates between 10 and 49. However, the City Centre has replaced Clifton Without in the list compared to yesterday.

Vaccinations

Tests

3837 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 16th April 2021

Of these, 0.6% were positive. This compares with 0.4% found to be positive the previous day

1764 “lateral flow” tests were also completed on 20th April 2021

Hospital

No change to inpatient numbers today

Free attic room insulation for eligible Clifton ward residents

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People with attic rooms living in the Clifton area of York are being encouraged to check their eligibility for free energy-efficient insulation following recent funding secured by the council.

If successful in Clifton, the council hopes to open the scheme to other areas of York.

The council received £300,000 from the Government to run the Home Upgrade Grant scheme, which targets homes with cold attic rooms with the aim of making the homes warmer, improving energy efficiency and helping reduce fuel bills.  

The work is being arranged by Better Homes Yorkshire, on behalf of the council, with work carried out by Eclipse Energy. The work takes around two weeks to complete and involves the installation of insulation boarding to the walls and ceilings to keep the warmth in and the cold out. Following insulation, the room will be plastered and decorated in white to finish.

The council’s funding will be used to support residents with a joint annual income of £30,000 or less who live in homes with low levels of energy efficiency (those with Energy Performance Certificate band ratings of D, E, F and G).

To find out more about the scheme and to see if you’re eligible, please contact Eclipse Energy directly at 0800 8789187 or email northyorks@eclipseenergy.co.uk . More about energy efficient schemes in York is at www.york.gov.uk/HUG 

56 first time buyers take up York Councils “shared ownership” option.

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The council’s Shared Ownership Programme has helped more people afford their own home by creating 65 shared ownership homes in the City of York.

This scheme was run in partnership with Homes England, to help York residents get on to the property ladder.

Shared ownership schemes support those who cannot afford to buy a home on the open market. Under the council’s shared ownership lease, the resident buys a share of the property and pays rent on the remainder owned by the landlord. The proportion of the owned share can increase as and when the resident can afford it.

The homes are a mix of properties bought on the open market and converted into shared ownership. They have enabled 56 first time buyers, and nine others who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to afford to buy their own home.

The Shared Ownership Programme is a fresh approach to affordable home ownership, making homes accessible to local people in an area with high property values and high market rents. Through the scheme, City of York Council has increased its interest in housing stock across the city. This will benefit future generations of shared owners.

The Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme is a £2,762,500 funded scheme and is part of the City of York Council’s Housing Delivery Programme. The Housing Delivery Programme is also building at least 600 new homes across York, more information can be found on the council website.