Mixed news about getting local paths cleared of overgrowth
The SUSTRANs cycle track near Riccall has now been cut back. Unfortunately the section of track in Bishopthorpe (near Coggan Way) is still overgrown with nettles in places Tadcaster Road cycle path blockages
Meanwhile the York Council is now claiming that they are not responsible for keeping the cycle track, which is located next to the slip road from the A64, clear of obstructions. The Council did actually cleared similar problems this time last year.
We will be very disappointed if this turns out to be a jurisdiction stand off between the York Council and Highway Yorkshire. The latter is responsible for maintaining the cycle path along the side of the trunk road.
111 additional positive test results today, Brings the cumulative total up to 15,126.
The number of cases in the City has increased from 834 to 854
The rate /100k population has edged back up to 405.49 today. Overall numbers remain high, but they are no longer trending upwards.
Neighbourhoods
Vaccinations
1682 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Saturday)
Tests
8169 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 6th July 2021
Of these, 10.4% were positive. That represents an increase on the previous recorded figure of 10.2%.
In addition, 1606 “lateral flow” tests were also completed on 10th July.
“Grab a Jab”
In parts of the Westfield Ward in York, 1 in 5 eligible adults haven’t yet had even their first dose of coronavirus vaccine.
Nearly half those eligible haven’t had their second dose.
Anyone can now get a second vaccination if they had the first jab 8 weeks or longer ago.
It couldn’t be easier or quicker to get a free jab.
Please take a few minutes to pop down to Askham Bar (next to Tesco on Tadcaster Road) or to one of the many local surgery and pharmacy sites which are advertising the service each day
102 positive test results today. Brings cumulative total up to 15,015
The number of cases in the City has fallen from 865 to 834
The rate /100k population has fallen below 400 for the first time for nearly a week. It is likely to edge up again tomorrow before stabilising at around 400.
Neighbourhoods
Vaccinations
1517 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Friday)
Tests
8108 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 5th July.
Of these, 10.2% were positive. That is lower than the 10.3% positivity rate found during the previous period
1985 “lateral flow” tests were also completed on 9th July 2021
128 positive test results today, Brings the cumulative total up to 14,913.
The number of cases in the City has reduced from 872 to 865
The rate /100k population falls to 410.71. The rate is on course to stablise at around 400 over the next few days.
Some of the slides used at a Council meeting which took place on Wednesday have now been published, They include some interesting information about the spread of infections. The following graph confirms that the majority of cases are connected with groups still in education.
Neighbourhoods
Infection rates continue to fall at Heslington/University. It no longer has the highest rate in the City. The highest infection rate can now be found in Tang Hall
Both Tang Hall and Fulford Road/Clementhorpe are now experiencing the highest number of COVID cases recorded since the pandemic began in early 2020
The Council have published information on how vaccination levels vary for different age groups/occupations
Figures released on Wednesday suggest that there is some SPARE CAPACITY in the vaccination programme
Vaccinations
1296 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Thursday)
Tests
8235 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 4th July 2021
Of these, 10.3% were positive. That represents a reduction on the 10.5% positivity found during the previous period.
2669 “lateral flow” tests were also completed on 8th July 2021
Council commentary updates
The data is accurate as at 8.00 a.m. on Friday 09.07.21. Some narrative for the data covering the latest period is provided here below:
People with Covid Symptoms
• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 6.7.21 there had been 71 total covid telephony triages in the CYC area in the last 7 days. The peak number of triages was 192 in the 7 day period to 22.9.20.
• As at 8.7.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 723 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 3,807 people). The peak rate was 1,283 on 7.1.21.
Diagnosed cases
• As at 8.7.21 York has had 14,785 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 7,020 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (7,750) and regional (8,291) 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 number of new cases is worsening. The latest rating for York (5.7.21) is Red.
• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 30.6.21 to 6.7.21 in York is 398.4 (839 cases). (Using data published on Gov.uk on 8.7.21).
• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 27.6.21 to 3.7.21 in York was 414 (872 cases). The national and regional averages at this date were 263.9 and 333.2 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 8.7.21).
• York is currently ranked 119th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in England with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.
• For the 7 day period 26.6.21.to 2.7.21, the number of cases in each ward varied from 3 to141 and rates varied from 72.3 to 929.7 per 100,000.
• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 27.6.21 to 3.7.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 62.5 (31 cases). The national and regional averages were 47.3 and 56.3 respectively.
• As at 6.7.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 13.67%. The national and regional averages are 10.2% and 13.5% respectively.
• As at 6.7.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 1.27%. The national and regional averages are 1.0% and 1.4% respectively.
• As at 6.7.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 tests only) was 1.0%. The national average is 1.1%.
• As at 2.7.21 York University reported 240 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 28.6.21 York St. John reported 4 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
• Local Contact Tracing. Between 10.3.21 and 2.7.21, 1,239 referrals had been actioned by the local contact tracing service. Of the referrals actioned, 1,158 (93.5%) were successful and 81 (6.5%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible. (NB on the 10.3.21 the local CYC team became responsible for contacting all cases rather than just those that the national team could not contact).
Cases in Residential Care Settings
• As at 7.7.21 there were 3 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 of either a staff member or resident) in a residential care setting in York were reported by PHE on 2.7.21 (1 home).
Cases amongst School Aged Children
• In the 7 days up to 5.7.21 there were 107 children of primary or secondary school age who tested positive (across 34 different schools).
COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital
• As at 7.7.21 there were 15 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General/Acute beds. The previous figure was 5 on 29.6.21. The peak number was 157 on 19.1.21.
• As at 7.7.21 there was 1 confirmed Covid-19 patient and 0 suspected Covid-19 patients in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The previous figures were 1 and 0 on 29.6.21. The peak number for people in ITU was 19 on 10.5.20.
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 2.7.21 was estimated to be in the range 1.2 to 1.4. The previous estimate was (1.2 to 1.5) on 25.6.21.
Variants of Concern
• In the latest month for which data is available, 816 cases in York (with a specimen date between 5th June 2021 and 4th July 2021) had been processed in a laboratory which is able to carry out the required sequencing in order to identify Variants of Concern (VOC) or Variants under Investigation (VUI). Of these, there had been 802 cases (genomically confirmed or provisional genotyping) of the Delta Variant of Concern (VOC-21APR-02) which was first identified in India.
Total Vaccinations
• As at 7.7.21 a total of 143,963 CYC residents have had the first dose of the vaccine. This represents 82.5% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.
• As at 7.7.21 a total of 100,904 CYC residents have had both doses of the vaccine. This represents 57.9% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.
• Source: PHE Covid-19 Situational Awareness Explorer
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 provides a breakdown by age and gender. For both data sources a death from Covid-19 is said to have occurred when Covid-19 has been recorded on the death certificate. The most recently available data is summarised below:
• ONS Weekly data: In the most recent period (Week 25: 19.6.21 to 25.6.21) 0 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents. There has been one recorded covid death between week 18 and week 25.
• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 18th June 2021 and registered up to 26th June 2021, 397 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (228 in hospital, 136 in care homes, 25 at home/elsewhere and 8 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 188.49 which is lower than the national average of 232.76
• Age / Gender breakdown (using registrar data): The average age of the CYC residents who died was 82.1, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of the CYC residents who have died is older than the national average (79.6% were aged 75+ compared with 72.9% nationally). 47.7% of the CYC residents who died were male. The national average is 54.4%.
According to updated government figures, there were no deaths of York residents in any setting in the City during the week ending 25th June 2021. The cumulative death toll remains at 379.
Test results
143 positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total up to 14,785.
The number of cases in the City has risen from 850 to 872. This is the largest case number recorded since 16th January 2021
The rate /100k population has crept up to 414.04. There are hopes that the rate may fall below 400 over the weekend.
Neighbourhoods
Case numbers are continuing to decline in the Heslington/University neighbourhood
Vaccinations
1279 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Wednesday)
Tests
8243 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 3rd July 2021.
Of these, 10.5% were positive. That is the same positivity rate as was also found during the previous period.
3401 “lateral flow” tests were also undertaken on 7th July 2021
My top three goals for policing York & Selby District… and how we’re going to achieve them
Meet the new police commander of York & Selby District, Superintendent Mark Khan. As the most senior officer in the district, he makes big decisions that affect how policing is delivered for hundreds of thousands of people. He says:
Last week, I became commander of a district that includes one of the safest cities in England, which is also in the safest county in England. Those aren’t hollow claims, they are facts based on government analysis of a huge amount of crime data.
Facts like that can be very reassuring to people who live or work in this wonderful district. But they don’t mean everything is perfect. We deal with thousands of serious crimes a year in York and Selby. That means thousands of victims, thousands of lives affected by crime.
And they certainly don’t mean we should be complacent as a police force. I’ve been a police officer for almost 30 years – I know that the moment the police stop trying to improve and evolve would be the moment criminals gained the upper hand.
There’s always scope for progress, no matter how effectively things have been done in the past.
So I’m going to share my three top goals for policing the York & Selby District and explain how we’re going to achieve them.
Goal 1. Ensuring public spaces are kept safe for all, day and night
Public spaces are, by definition, for everyone to enjoy. If people who use a town or city centre, park or other communal areas feel intimidated or are at risk of crime, something is wrong. The lawless minority does not have a right to ruin public spaces for the law-abiding majority.
We’ve already made big strides in tackling this and there’s excellent work happening as we speak. We’re using dispersal orders to stamp out antisocial behaviour at key points right now – and we’re backing them up with a strong police presence so people feel safe, however they choose to use public spaces. I want to see that continue for as long as the need exists. Yes, there’s more work to do, and yes, we’ll do it.
As you read this, we’re also doing work with other organisations to prepare for the full reopening of the night-time economy after July 19 and planning how we police high footfall areas with maximum impact. The night-time economy is a big part of our district’s economy and people are welcome to come here to enjoy their leisure time. Millions of people manage to do that legally, safely and respectfully every year. We won’t tolerate those who don’t.
Goal 2. Tackling the harm drugs and alcohol do to our communities
Communities are damaged by crime. Crime is often fuelled by drug or alcohol misuse. So I want to ensure we get to the root cause of this issue. I want to build on the good work with partners like local authorities, the local hospitality sector and the wider community that has seen scores of troublemakers banned from pubs and bars and the tiny minority of rogue businesses that perpetuate this trouble held to account.
But illegal drugs present different challenges. We know that early intervention – getting people the support they need before addiction really takes over – works wonders. I’m keen to see us develop that approach further, to prevent the cycle between drugs and crime taking hold in the first place especially among young people.
Most of the drugs in our district are brought in from other areas. This is often done by ‘county lines’ gangs which also import violence, exploitation, misery and fear. Our excellent Expedite team has led our force’s response to this – hundreds of drug dealers are in prison as a result. We will police York and Selby in a way that makes it a totally hostile environment to everyone involved in this repugnant trade, from low-level street dealers to organised crime ringleaders. I know we will have the full support of our communities.
Goal 3. Keeping our roads, and everyone who uses them, safe
One of the ways we can keep drug gangs and other criminals out of our communities is to intercept them before they even reach their destination. We have skilled teams like our Operational Support Unit and Roads Policing Group who specialise in this. And we’ll be sharing some of their skills with officers from our local policing teams.
But road policing is much more than ridding our routes of criminals. Last year, almost 40 people died on North Yorkshire’s roads and more than 250 were seriously injured. One in six of those serious injuries happened in our district.
Virtually all were due to driver or rider error. It’s a heartbreaking figure but we know we can do something about it. We’ll be bringing more targeted road safety education and enforcement operations to York & Selby District – initiatives like Operation Boundary, which focuses a high volume of police units on key routes and pays particular attention to vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists. And we’ll use the skills, resources and expertise of the York & North Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership to do everything in our power to reduce those harrowing statistics.
Let me be very clear – these are by no means our only priorities and we won’t fixate on these at the expense of the many other issues we deal with.
But I’m fully aware they’re big challenges. We’re setting the bar high.
These sort of goals need a clear plan. So we’re going to focus on maintaining high investigative standards to ensure we put together robust cases that bring people to justice.
What’s more, we’re not just going to respond to crime. We’re going to respond and then aim to fix the problem, to prevent us dealing with the same issues over and over again. Prevention and early intervention is key.
And to solve problems we need to share skills. We’ll share them with other organisations and ensure we recruit and retain people who understand the issues we’re trying to address, represent the communities we serve and have the skills and determination to make positive changes.
I know that’s been a long read, but it’s important we share our ideas and ambitions for York & Selby District with you.
Without public support it would be impossible for us to police. And without the information supplied by the public we’d be working in the dark.
So if you have concerns or information about any offences in York & Selby District, from antisocial behaviour to drink driving to drug dealing, share it with us by calling 101 and selecting option 1. Every report is taken seriously and it helps us build our policing response around the issues affecting our communities.
Together we can make one of the safest places in England an even safer place to live, work and visit. And that’s an exceptional goal we can all share.
96 new positive test results today. Brings the cumulative total up to 14,499.
The number of cases in the City has risen from 852 to 867
The rate /100k population has risen to 411.66. The rate is expected to remain at around that level over then next few days
Neighbourhoods
According to a report to a meeting taking place tomorrow (see below) as many as 525 students at the University of York are now self isolating. The report goes on to say ” Generally the drivers behind this rise in infections appears to be increasing social activity – inline with the stage three unlocking since May”
Vaccinations
1636 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Monday)
Tests
7817 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 1st July 2021
Of these, 10.8% were positive. That is the same proportion as were found during the previous period.
In addition 3145 “lateral flow” tests were competed on 5th July 2021
Outbreak Management Board
Some interesting – and sobering – reports being discussed tomorrow. Made more relevant by pending government decisions on face coverings, social distancing, the reopening of offices etc.
