A small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference, say city emotional wellbeing experts ahead of Time to Talk Day on 4 February 2021.
Research shows that the more conversations people have, the more myths can be bust and the more barriers can broken down, helping to end the isolation and shame and that too many people feel about mental health problems.
Time to Talk Day is when we’re all being encouraged to talk about mental health. This year’s event might look a little different, but at times like this open conversations about mental health are more important than ever.
This year’s focus is on the power of small, because however you have a conversation about mental health – whether it’s a quick text to a friend, a virtual coffee morning with colleagues, or a socially distanced walk and talk with your family – it has the power to make a big difference.
Here are some tips on how to start a conversation and help someone simply by listening and acknowledging what they’re going through.
An open ear reduces fear
Listening is often more important than talking. You don’t have to have all the answers – just listening can make a big difference. Show you’re taking on board what they’re saying. You can do this saying something simple like “that sounds really difficult”.
2. Be a friend, don’t mend
You don’t have to fix it, just being there will mean a lot. It can be difficult to open, especially if you think the person you’re with won’t understand. Remember what they’re going through is real to them, so be the supportive friend you’ve always been.
3. It’s easy to say “that sounds tough”
Show you care and take on board what they’re saying. It’s OK to ask questions like “What kind of thoughts are you having?”, “How can I help?” Just try not to minimise what someone’s going through.
Emma Williams from Time to Change York, said: “We need your help to start the conversation this Time to Talk Day – together we can end mental health stigma. Find out more at www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/time-talk-day.”
Cl(opens in a new tab)lr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said: “I’m delighted to see this campaign which builds on Time To Change’s ‘Ask Twice’ campaign. Simply reaching out to someone and asking how they are – how they really are – and listening to them, can make people feel so much better.
FIVE additional deaths were announced by the York Hospital Trust today. Three occurred on Monday and two yesterday.
Test results
THIRTY SEVEN (37) additional positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 11,215
The rate /100k population figure has now fallen to 185.18.
case numbers in York are now down to 390 (7 day moving average). They continue to reduce at a faster rate than elsewhere in the region.
Neighbourhoods
Six neighbourhoods now have significantly lower than average infection rates (below the 100 cases rate benchmark). The 6 include Woodthorpe/Acomb Park area which, 4 weeks ago, had the highest rate in the City.
Vaccinations
National & Regional
Local
Nimbuscare say that they vaccinated over 1700 people each day on Monday and Tuesday at the Askham Bar site.
Today (Wednesday) over 1800 have been vaccinated so far.
NB. Some patients are getting same day appointment options having received their “call up” Email in the morning. Very impressive process.
Testing
During the week ending 29th January 2021 (latest figures), 5363 PCR tests were completed in York.
Of these, 8.2% were positive.
This was a further reduction on the previous days figure (8.7%)
987 lateral flow tests were also completed on 2nd February
York Stadium testing site
The York Stadium Leisure Complex is the latest facility in York to offer symptom-free testing,
as thousands of people who live and work in York continue to do their bit by getting tested regularly to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
Following an agreement between City of York Council and Better York, residents will be able to get tested at the new York Leisure Centre, part of our fantastic new facilities at York Stadium Leisure Complex at Huntington, Monks Cross, from Monday 8 February.
You can book a rapid test if:
you live or work in York, and are unable to work from home during the lockdown, and come into contact with other people during the course of your work (including working in early years settings, essential retail and construction)
you’re aged 18 or over, and you come into contact with lots of other people as part of your work in any essential sector
you’re aged 18 or over, and you work with, live with, or support those most at risk from coronavirus
you’re a pupil of a secondary school in York, and your school has advised you to be tested
you’re an eligible staff member, postgraduate researcher or student at university in York
It joins York St John University and the University of York in offering residents, workers, students and staff who are eligible. Since starting testing on 14 December, we have done over 20,000 tests.
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council said:
“I am pleased that the council is teaming up with Better York to offer another location for residents and people working in the city to get a symptom-free test.
“This is yet another example of how we are working to expand testing capacity in the and how we are coming together to fight the spread of the virus.
“From the very beginning of the project, it was our ambition that the York Stadium Leisure Complex would become an asset of real value to local communities and this new symptom-free testing offer shows how these fantastic facilities are being put to good use for the benefit of local people.
“We will continue to work with partners across the city to improve access to symptom-free testing, exploring how we meet the different needs of people who live and work in the city. Thousands are doing it every week and we hope more do in the coming weeks, as part of our efforts to stop the spread of the virus.”
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health at City of York Council said:
“1 in 3 cases of Coronavirus have no symptoms so it is vital cases are found early to help stop the spread of Coronavirus.
“Whilst cases have fallen in recent weeks rates in York are still higher than we’d like. The early identification of cases and subsequent self-isolation if the test is positive is really making a difference in our fight against Coronavirus.
“We are hugely grateful to those who are regularly getting tested to play their part in the fight against Coronavirus.
“Symptom-free testing can help protect your work colleagues, neighbours, friends and family. We are constantly increasing capacity so would urge anyone who is eligible to get a test.”
Paul Bickle, Better’s Partnership Manager for York said:
“The York Leisure Centre provides an ideal location for Covid-19 testing, offering easy access, plenty of parking and sufficient space to ensure social distancing at all times.
“The concept behind the stadium project was always that it would be a resource for all the community and it is fantastic to be able to play a small part in the city’s efforts to battle the ongoing pandemic.”
EIGHT additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today.
One occurred on 29th January, five on Sunday 31st January, and two yesterday (1st February).
The cumulative total number of fatalities since the 1st September has now risen to 289.
Separately the ONS has published updated figures today which record the number of York residents who have died from COVID-19.
These figures are different from those published by the York Hospital Trust which covers a larger area than just the City.
During the week ending 22nd January – the most recent period available – thirty York residents died.
That is an increase from the previous week when twenty five local fatalities were recorded
Of the fatalities, 19 died in hospital, 8 in care homes, 2 at home and 1 at a hospice.
The cumulative local death toll has now reached 89 since the beginning of September.
The York Hospital Trust reported total casualties of 37 during the same week (w/e 22/1/21).
The care home toll is lower than was seen in the spring. The NHS confirmed yesterday that all York care home residents had now been offered a vaccination
Test numbers
The latest figures reveal that 5,371 PCR tests were carried out on the seven days ending on 28th January.
8.7% of these provided to be positive.
That represents a further reduction in positivity levels.
1,508 lateral flow tests were carried out on 1st February
Test results
FORTY TWO (42) additional positive test results have been announced today. It brings the cumulative total to 11,178.
The rate /100k population figure is now 198.0. This is first time that the rate has fallen below 200 since 23rd December.
Despite a forecast uptick when the figures for the 31st January are added in, the infection rate is otherwise trending to fall steadily and may go below 150 during the next weekend
York continues to have an infection rate below both the regional and national averages.
The North Yorkshire rate has leveled off.
Neighbourhoods
There has been a small increase in case numbers in some neighbourhoods.
This includes a 7 case increase in Haxby which remains – by some distance – the area with the highest infection rate in the City.
The lowest rate can now be found in the City centre.
Hospitals
The York Hospital Trust currently has 191 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 inpatients. That is a reduction on the figure seen last week.
It has 11 COVID-19 patients in intensive care.
1,731 patients have been discharged to their usual place of residence or are no longer being treated for Covid-19.
Vaccinations
National
Nationwide over 10 million people have now been vaccinated.
Yesterday 350,348 received their first dose with 2,587 receiving the second dose. This represented a small increase on the numbers inoculated on the previous day
Regional
Local
No new figures have ben issued. However the Askham Bar site has remained open today despite the poor weather. It has been averaging around 2000 injections per day.
SIX additional hospital deaths have been announced today.
They bring the cumulative total number of fatalities at the York and Scarborough hospitals up to 283 since the start of the second wave of infections.
Test Results
FORTY SEVEN (47) additional positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative case total to 11,136.
Rate /100k population has now reduced to 205.12. Trending to fall below the 200 case benchmark tomorrow.
The case rate in York continues to reduce more quickly than is being seen in other parts of the country
Neighbourhoods
There are now three neighbourhoods with a case rate of below 100. They are Dunnington/Elvington/Wheldrake (6 cases), the City Centre (12 cases) and Poppleton/Rufforth/Askhams (5 cases).
Haxby remains the only area with a rate over 400 (400.4 with 23 cases).
Vaccinations
National
Nationwide 9,296,367 people have now received their first vaccinations. 494,209 have also received the second dose.
319,038 people were vaccinated yesterday 31st January (first dose) . This was lower than the rate achieved during the previous three days.
3156 people received the second dose.
Regional
Local
According to a post by Nimbuscare on social media
“Over 12,000 patients received their Covid vaccinations at the York’s National and Local Vaccination Centre between the 25th and 31st January.
In the over 80s group Humber, Coast and Vale (which includes the York area) had vaccinated 68% by 17th January and 87% by the 24th January.”
Testing
Number of tests
5,431 PCR (laboratory) tests were conducted in York during the week ending 27th January (the latest figure available).
Of these, 9% provided to be positive .
That is the lowest positivity rate found since 24th December 2020.
In addition, 1526 lateral flow tests were completed on 31st January. That brings the total number of such tests to 35,270.
Sites
A TEMPORARY Covid testing site will be set up next week in Haxby which has seen high infection rates in recent times.
The testing will be held by appointment only at the Ethel Ward Playing Fields in Calf Close, Haxby, from Monday until Sunday February 6, from 9am to 3pm.
Tests can be booked by going to www.nhs.uk/Coronavirus or by phoning 119 and selecting the option that you were asked to attend by your local council.
The facility is similar to the one operating on the Thanet Road rugby club car park tomorrow.
It also was set up when virus infection rates in Woodthorpe and Westfield were very high.
York Council staff absence
A York Council committee will be considering the levels of sick absence at the authority. next week.
“At the start of the pandemic staff absence increased significantly with a number of staff not available to work. This was directly linked to coronavirus where staff were displaying symptoms and self isolating and unable to work from home. The sickness absence rates across the council follows the national and local infection rate patterns, as can be seen, with a slight peak in wave 2 October time and then wave three being end of December into January 2021.
There is some confidence though that whilst rates have increased since end of December, they are not near the level we experienced in March / April. There are staff that are self isolating but are able to work fully from home and therefore those will not appear in the figures, also those staff who have tested positive for covid but are well enough to continue to work from home”.
Around 900 staff working in the social care sector are being vaccinated.
Schools
The same meeting will hear that there are pressures on some schools. All York schools are still open catering for the children of some critical workers.
The meeting will be told that the number of teaching staff absent since January 5th has fluctuated but has been between 95- 85, with the numbers absent due to being Covid positive being under 10 individual cases on any given date.
“The staffing levels in individual schools have not so far reached a level where schools have been unable to deliver on site provision or their remote learning offer”.
The impact on schools varies according to their size, staffing structure and the physical space within their buildings.
In particular, small primary schools are finding it more difficult to manage high numbers of children on site and to manage the remote learning offer.
During the first week in January, a small number of parents contacted the Council’s education team to highlight problems with accessing school places, each case was worked through and solutions found.
FIVE additional hospital deaths announced today. One occurred on Wednesday, three on Thursday and one on Friday.
That brings the cumulative total of COVID-19 fatalities at the York Hospital Trust to 277 since 1st September 2020
Test Results
FORTY TWO additional positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative case total to 11,089.
Rate /100k population has fallen to 213.19, Now trending to fall below 200 when Tuesday’s figures are confirmed.
Based on the trend followed by the second wave of infections (between 28th November and 8th December 2020), we can expect the, 7 day rolling case number, average to fall below 17.0 before the middle of February.
Currently it stands at 64.14.
The trick this time will be to ensure that the fall in cases is sustained!
The York infection rate (213.2) has now fallen below the regional (Yorkshire) rate (217.0)
Neighbourhoods
Infection rates are continuing to fall in all but one neighbourhood
70% fall in cases since peak on 8th January
The comparison below shows how much progress has been made over the last 3 weeks. There has been a fall in case numbers in EVERY neighbourhood in York.
Vaccinations
National
A record number of 598,389 first dose vaccinations were performed nationwide yesterday. 10.621 second doses were administered.
In total 8,977,329 vaccinations have now been competed. 491.053 second doses have been administered.
There may be early indications emerging which suggest that the rate of increase in the number of deaths at the York and Scarborough hospitals is beginning to slow.
Test Results
FIFTY SIX (56) new positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total number of cases in the City to 11,047.
The rate /100k population figure has fallen to 233.13. The figure is trending to fall below 200 early next week.
The infection rate in York is trending to go below the regional average within the next couple of days
Neighbourhoods
Excellent news across the City.
For the first time since 28th December 2020, we have a neighbourhood with a case rate of below 100. The honour goes to Poppleton, Rufforth & the Askhams where there are now only 7 infections recorded.
Only Haxby now has a rate (marginally) above 400 and, like elsewhere, case numbers there are falling quickly
click to access source date
Vaccinations
National
8.4 million people in the UK have now been vaccinated.
Regional
Local
No local figures have been published
Hospitals
The York Hospital Trust is currently treating 201 suspected Covid-19 inpatients Trust-wide. That is a lower figure than earlier in the week.
It has 13 patients in intensive care.
A total of 1,679 Covid-19 patients had been discharged, or are no longer being treated for the disease, 18 more than the previous day.
THREE additional hospital deaths have been announced. One occurred on Tuesday and two on Wednesday.
Test results
SEVENTY TWO additional positive test results announced today. That brings the cumulative total number of cases in the City to 10,991
It seems that the rate of decline in infection levels may now be slowing. This feature was also seen in the middle of November when the post second wave decline in numbers markedly slowed.
Three weeks later it bottomed out at, a seven day average of, 17.4 (57.93 rate /100k population figure).
The infection rate now stands at 256.40 – down from the 269.22 seen yesterday
The rate in York is below the national average and on current trends will go below the regional average early next week. The number of cases in North Yorkshire is falling at a similar rate to York
Neighbourhoods
Five neighbourhoods with a case rate lower than 200.
Dunnington is now falling quickly towards the 100 case benchmark.
Vaccinations
National
Regional
York
According to one York GP practice, they are updating the local vaccination figures on their web site and social media channels. That would be a step in the right direction as communications on the progress being made each day, on vaccinating the four priority groups, is difficult to find.
We keep our social media channels and website updated with information about the vaccination programme.
Here are more figures (approx) for patients getting their Covid vaccinations at our York Vaccination Centres this week: Mon – 1300, Tues, Wed & Thur – 2100 per day (& yes, we're still counting!) Thanks to everyone involved – patients, staff and volunteers! ??? #COVID19#NHS
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) January 29, 2021
Council commentary updates
The York Council has updated the following commentary on the pandemic on the open data web site. (NB. Sadly the Council is still referring to MSOA neighbourhoods as “wards”. The boundaries of the MSOAs are very different from ward boundaries).
People with Covid Symptoms
• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 25.1.21 there had been 225 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 27.1.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 545.7 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 4,789 people). The peak rate was 1,282.6 on 7.1.21.
Diagnosed cases
• As at 28.1.21 York has had 10,919 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 5,184.3 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (5,817.3 and regional (5,752) 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 (25.1.21) is Green.
• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 20.1.21 to 26.1.21 in York is 208.9 (using data published on Gov.uk on 28.1.21).
• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 17.1.21 to 23.1.21 was 269.2. The national and regional averages at this date were 373.2 and 242.3 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 28.1.21).
• York is currently ranked 35th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.
• For the 7 day period 16.1.21.to 22.1.21, 9 wards in York (Acomb, Westfield, Rawcliffe & Clifton Without, Strensall, Haxby & Wiggington, Clifton, Osbaldwick & Derwent, Heworth and Guildhall) have seen a statistically significant fall in rates compared with the 7 day period 9.1.21 to 15.1.21. For the remaining wards there has been no statistically significant change in rates. No wards have seen a significant increase in rates.
• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 17.1.21 to 23.1.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 232. The national and regional averages were 294.5 and 190.4 respectively.
• As at 25.1.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 9.61%. The national and regional averages are 11.9% and 9.1% respectively.
• As at 25.1.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 0.54%. The national and regional averages are 0.7% and 0.4% respectively.
• As at 25.1.21, the latest 14 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 and 2 PCR tests combined) was 11.3%. The national and regional averages were 13.2% and 9.8% respectively. The breakdown for York over the last 14 days is a 9.5% positivity rate for Pillar 1 tests and a 11.8% positivity rate for Pillar 2 PCR tests. Source PHE
• As at 28.1.21 York University reported 29 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 25.1.21 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
• Since 28.5.20 a total of 9,953 laboratory confirmed CYC Covid cases have been uploaded into the NHS Test and Trace system and 8,940 of the cases have been completed (89.8%). 23,683 ‘contacts’ have been identified and 17,540 of these have been completed (74.1%). Source: PHE Report.
• Local Tracing of Cases: Between 22.10.20 and 22.1.21, 804 ‘actionable’ positive COVID-19 CYC cases have been referred to the local contact tracing service. 775 of the referrals (96.4%) have been actioned and 29 are still ‘in progress. Of the referrals actioned, 519 (67%) were successful and 256 (33%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible.
Cases in Residential Settings / Schools
• As at 27.1.21 there were 13 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 28.1.21 (1 home).
• In the 7 days up to 24.1.21 there were 30 children of primary and secondary school age who tested positive (across 19 different schools). NB Currently the majority of York children are not in the school setting.
COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital
• As at 26.1.21 there were 156 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General and Acute beds. The previous figure on 25.1.21 was 148
• As at 26.1.21 there were 7 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 0 suspected Covid-19 patient in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The previous figures on 25.1.21 were 8 and 0 respectively.
• As at 26.1.21 there had been 0 patients admitted with suspected Covid-19 and 4 with confirmed Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours.
• As at 26.1.21 there had been 10 confirmed patients discharged with COVID-19 in last 24 hours
Covid Patients (CYC Residents) discharged from York Hospital
• Between 18.1.21 and 24.1.21, 56 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 22.1.21 was estimated to be in the range 0.8 to 1.1. The previous estimate was (1.1 to 1.3) on 15.1.21.
Vaccinations
• As at 26.1.21 26,294 CYC residents have received the first dose and 1,017 had received both doses. 10,281 people over 80 have received the first dose. This represents 90.7% of the estimated number of people aged over 80 in York (11,334 people). 708 people aged 65+ who live in care homes have received the first dose.
• In England between 8.12.20 and 27.1.20, 6,918,853 vaccinations had been administered (6,473,752 first dose and 445,101 second dose).
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 (9.1.20 to 15.1.20) 25 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (18 in hospital, 1 at home and 6 in a care home).
• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 15th January 2020 and registered up to 23rd January 2021, 263 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (146 in hospital, 97 in care homes, 14 at home and 6 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 124.9 which is lower than the national average of 157.6.
• Local Registrar data (Cumulative): Since the start of the pandemic (using data for deaths occurring up to 20.1.21), a cumulative total of 273 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 82.6, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of those dying in York is older than the national average. 133 of the 273 were male (48.7%), less than the national average (54.9%). 95 people (34.8%) died in nursing /care homes; (the national average is 24%). In addition 22 people (8.06%) who normally resided in nursing/care homes in the CYC area, died in hospital.
An additional seven deaths have been announced by the York Hospital Trust today. Three occurred yesterday and four on Tuesday.
It means that 68 people have lost their lives to COVID-19 at the York and Scarborough hospitals over the last two weeks.
Test results
SIXTY THREE (63) additional positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative case total in the City to 10,918
The case rate /100k population has reduced to 269.22
Infection rates are continuing to fall at all levels across the country.
Neighbourhoods
Only three neighbourhoods now have very high infection rates (Haxby, New Earswick and Westfield).
Woodthorpe/Acomb Park has dropped below the 400 case rate benchmark for the first time since 22nd December 2020.
Four areas are now below the 200 case rate benchmark (Dunnington, the City centre, Huntington and Poppleton/Rufforth/Askhams).
It is likely that one of those neighbourhoods will become the first to fall below 100, and be marked as “green” (below average), since 28th December when Heslington recorded a 93.8 case rate.
Huntington has fallen from having 45 cases to just 10 during the last eleven days
Vaccinations
Nationally 282,812 people received a first dose of vaccine yesterday. That brought the cumulative total to 7,447,199.
2,142 people received the second dose bringing the cumulative total to 476,298
Vaccination numbers have been lower this week
Hospitals
According to government figures, there were 215 COVID-19 patients being cared for by the York Hospital Trust on Tuesday 26th January
The were 11 patients in intensive care
Fixed Penalty Notices for COVID offences
The Police have issued 19 fixed penalty notices in York over the last week to people who have been found breaking COVID restrictions.
Most were for unlawful indoor gatherings.
The breakdown across the county is;
North Yorkshire Police say that they have issued a further 87 FPNs for breaches of the Coronavirus regulations since the 19 January 2021.
This takes the total number of FPNs issued since the third national lockdown began on 6 January 2021 to 328 . NYP have issued 2216 COVID notices in total since March 2020.
Virus in the community
NEW: Latest REACT study from @IpsosMORI and @ImperialCollege on behalf of @DHSCGovUK shows high prevalence and an R rate of 1 – A worrying combination but there is a suggestion of a downturn in prevalence. Check out the thread for more ? pic.twitter.com/TtKCCH0KGe
Four more deaths announced by York Hospital Trust. Three occurred on Monday and one yesterday
Test results
SEVENTY SEVEN additional positive test results were announced today. This is higher than has been seen in recent days, but is in line with the post weekend correction that we see during most weeks.
It is possible though that the rate of reduction in case numbers may now slow and may more closely follow the pattern seen as wave two declined in November (see graph below).
The trend downward in case numbers should be sustained at least while lockdown restrictions are in place.
The government have indicated today that they do not expect to see schools reopening to all pupils before March.
The rate /100k population figure is now 286.31. This is the lowest figure seen in the City since 26th December 2020.
Cases figures in YorkTrends
Infection rates in York have been falling more quickly than in other parts of the country. There is an expectation that the rate will fall below the regional average before next week.
It is already below the national average.
Neighbourhoods
Three neighbourhoods are now below the 200 case threshold.
Infection rate trend is now generally downwards in every neighbourhood
Hospitals
York Hospital Trust has reached a new peak in Covid patients .
242 Covid inpatients were being treated by the hospital trust on Tuesday.
That’s 111 more patients than the peak of 131 seen in May 2020
The Trust also said it had 10 patients in intensive care, compared with 11 on Monday.
It had discharged a total of 1,604 Covid patients to their usual place of residence, or who were no longer being treated as Covid-19, up from 1,589 a day earlier.
Vaccinations
Nationally yesterday 311,060 received their first dose of vaccine. Brings cumulative total to 7,164,387.
1710 received their second dose bringing the second dose total to 47,415
Latest published vaccination figures for the Askham Bar sites
Saturday – 2258
Sunday – 1620
Monday – 1300+
Yesterday the York Hospital Trust delivered its 14,000th vaccine – the trust is vaccinating frontline healthcare staff and social care workers across York and Scarborough
There have been 107,752 vaccinations in North Yorkshire and York since the programme started in December. Including hospital doses, that is a grand total of 126,163 #coronavirus vaccine doses given.
Vaccination appointment process
Here is a useful video which explains how to book your #CovidVaccination appointment. Please note this booking system is for #York patients who have been invited by their GP Practice to attend the local vaccination service at Askham Bar #CovidVaccinationhttps://t.co/wip09vKeGb
We appreciate there are some people who are struggling to arrange transport to the Vaccination Centre for their appointment. The following may be of help:
York Wheels offer transport for a small charge – 01904 630080
The Home from Hospital service based at York Hospital offer transport to vaccination appointments and volunteers can also help with online booking – call 01904 726191 open 7 days a week 8am til 7pm
The Ambulance Wish Foundaiton in York is offering free transport for anyone in a wheelchair to the site in their wheelchair friendly vehicles – (01904) 530053
Contact tracing
Test and Trace contact tracers will call you if you've had a positive COVID-19 test result. They'll ask how you're doing and make sure you're aware of the help available whilst you self-isolate. ☎️Help them help you – expect the call and answer the phonehttps://t.co/NuoTkNJBrFpic.twitter.com/ss02ND6x4H
SEVEN additional deaths’ announced by the York Hospital Trust. Two occurred on Sunday and five yesterday. The cumulative death toll, at the York and Scarborough hospitals, recorded since 1st September, has now reached 255.
The latest ONS figures, indicating the number of COVID fatalities among York residents, have been published. They cover the week ending 15th January 2021.
They paint a grim picture with 18 residents losing their lives in hospital and a further 6 in care homes. One fatality occurred at home bringing the weekly total to 25.
That is the second highest weekly toll since the start of the pandemic. (29 lost their lives during the week commencing 1st May 2020).
The figures differ from those published by the York Hospital Trust which covers a larger area than the City.
Test results
FORTY ONE additional positive test results announced today. That is the lowest single day figure recorded since December. Brings the cumulative total number of cases to 10,779
The rate /100k population has now fallen to 305.78. The trend suggests that case numbers could be below 200 by the weekend.
The 7 day rolling average number of cases is now below 100. At 92.0 it is the lowest figure seen since 27th December 2020.
While case numbers in York and North Yorkshire continue to reduce steadily, progress is slower across England as a whole. The Yorkshire regional figures seem to have stabilised
Neighbourhoods
Testing numbers
There has been some speculation that the recent fall in positive test results can partly be explained by lower testing numbers. Essentially commentators suggested that poor weather had deterred many from getting a test.
That doesn’t appear to be the case in York where overall test numbers remain stable.
They are significantly higher than was seen at the peak of the second wave. That occurred on 16th October when a positivity rate of 15.8% was recorded (6180 PCR tests were undertaken during that week)
The third wave high occurred on 3rd January 2021 when 6843 PCR tests produced a 18.2 % positivity rate
The latest figures (20th January) saw 6399 PCR tests completed with a positivity rate of 12.2%.
In addition, an average of 934 “lateral flow” tests are being completed EACH DAY in the City.
The Council is asking residents to book a test if they are “symptom free”
We’re offering symptom free covid testing if you are aged 18+ and still going to work (incl. construction & education) or you live with/support those most at risk OR if your secondary school have recommended it.
The main defect with the system in York at present, is a lack of feedback on the numbers of positive results that have been recorded at the individual testing sites.
Such information might support – or otherwise – the claim being made at a national level that many of those being given positive test results, subsequently fail to follow isolation procedures.
Why lockdown isn’t working fast enough and what we should do next: a thread….. Not just borders and monitoring new strains, but time to fix the biggest flaw in our current strategy, namely that three quarters of those with symptoms do not self-isolate.
There are currently 223 confirmed and suspected Covid-19 inpatients being cared for by the York Hospital Trust. That compares with 222 last Friday.
It also had 11 patients in intensive care, compared with 13 on Friday.
More than 50 Covid patients were discharged from York and Scarborough hospitals over the weekend
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said yesterday it had discharged a total of 1,589 Covid-19 patients to their usual place of residence or who were no longer being treated as having the illness, compared with 1,536 last Friday.
Vaccinations
278,757 first doses, together with 1968 second doses, were administered yesterday. In total across the UK, 6,853,327 people have now had their first dose and 472,446 their second dose.
We're seeing reports of scam emails that invite users to input their bank details into a website to confirm their COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
The NHS will never ask you to share bank details or pay for a vaccine.
