Coronavirus York updates; 29th November 2020

Deaths and test results

FOUR more York Hospital Trust deaths announced today. 1 on Friday and 3 yesterday. Brings send wave total fatalities to 81 at the York and Scarborough hospitals.

Hospital admissions usually lag someway behind infection rate increases/decreases so it may be a few days before a downward trend is seen in death rates.

TWENTY (20) additional positive test results today bringing the cumulative total to 5632

All neighbourhoods, including Heslington, are now below the 200 cases per 100k population benchmark.

Overall the City has an infection rate of 106.8. It remains on course to be below the important 100 case milestone before 10th December.

However, the impact – if any – of coming out of lockdown (on Wednesday) will be clear before the next tier review date is reached.

Question and answers

After some prompting, the Council has added information about hospital capacity and sources of infections to its weekly commentary (published here yesterday)

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Coronavirus York updates; 28th November 2020.

Deaths and test results

THREE (3) additional deaths announced by York Hospital Trust today. One occurred on Wednesday, one on Thursday and one yesterday. They bring the cumulative second wave York and Scarborough hospitals death toll to 77.

TWENTY TWO (22) additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total to 5612

Latest validated rate per 100k population figure is 116.8

Ten of York’s 24 neighbourhoods now have a case rate below 100.

Only Heslington is now above the 200 case threshold.

Infection numbers in Clifton Without/Skelton have fallen.

Interactive map

Interesting interactive map from https://electionmaps.uk/covid19-tier-map allows single click access to current and historic COVID rates across England and Wales.

Hospital capacity

According to media reports, on November 23rd there were 129 coronavirus patients in the York Hospital Trust’s units – 71 in York, 55 in Scarborough and three in community hospitals – 14 of them in critical care. York Hospital has created space for up to 197 Covid patients, a board of directors meeting heard.

In wave one of the pandemic the hospital admitted 786 coronavirus patients and in wave two so far they have seen 573.

The hospital saw its highest level of staff off sick recently – 6.7 per cent of the workforce – due to people testing positive for coronavirus or being asked to self-isolate by contact tracers. Up to 90 people a day were off because of the test and trace service.

Council commentary

The York Council has updated its commentary on the pandemic. It can be read by clicking here and is reproduced below.

People with Covid Symptoms

• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 24.11.20 there had been 161 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 26.11.20, the Covid Symptom App estimates 547.9 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 4,637 people). The peak rate was 1,116.3 on 31.10.20.

Diagnosed cases (Pillar 1&2 combined)

• As at 26.11.20 York has had 5,576 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 2,647.4 per 100,000 of population. The rate in York is above the national average (2,407.8) but below the regional average (3,773.5).

• 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 (23.11.20) is Green.

• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 18.11.20 to 24.11.20 in York is 105.9 (using data published on Gov.uk on 26.11.20).

• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 15.11.20 to 21.11.20 was 132.5. The national and regional averages at this date were 209.1 and 297.1 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 26.11.20).

• As at 24.11.20, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 only) was 6.64%. The national and regional averages are 8.2% and 10.5% respectively.

• As at 26.11.20 York University reported 47 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 22.11.20 York St. John reported 9 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 4,413 laboratory confirmed CYC Covid cases have been uploaded into the NHS Test and Trace system and 3,889 of the cases have been completed (88.1%). 12,664 ‘contacts’ have been identified and 7,517 of these have been completed (59.4%). Source: PHE Report.

• Local Tracing of Cases: Between 22.10.20 and 20.11.20, 302 ‘actionable’ positive COVID-19 CYC cases have been referred to the local contact tracing service. 301 of the referrals (99.7%) have been actioned and 1 referral (0.3%) is still ‘in progress’. Of the referrals actioned, 225 (74.8%) were successful and 76 (25.2%) were uncontactable.

Cases in Residential Settings / Schools

• As at 25.11.20 there were 4 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 on 25.11.20 (1 home).

• In the 7 days up to 22.11.20 there were 20 children of primary and secondary school age who tested positive (across 8 different schools).

COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital

• As at 25.11.20 there were 52 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General and Acute beds. The previous figure on 24.11.20 was 58.

• As at 25.11.20 there were 7 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 0 suspected Covid-19 patients in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The previous figures on 24.11.20 were 7 and 0 respectively.

• As at 25.11.20 there had been 0 patients admitted with suspected Covid-19 and 3 with confirmed Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours

Recovery from Covid-19

• Between 13.4.20 and 22.11.20, 236 CYC residents had recovered and been successfully discharged from York hospital after needing NHS care for symptoms linked to covid-19 infection. 18 people were discharged in the most recent week.

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 20.11.20 was estimated to be in the range 1.0 to 1.1. The upper end of the range has fallen since the previous estimate (1.0 to 1.2) on 13.11.20.

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 provides a breakdown by age and gender. The most recently available data is summarised below:

• ONS weekly data: For deaths occurring up to 13th November 2020 and registered up to 21st November 2020, 185 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (91 in hospital, 80 in care homes, 10 at home and 4 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 87.84 which is lower than the national average of 102.48. There have been 13 Covid-19 deaths of CYC residents reported by ONS in the last 6 weeks (Weeks 41 to 46).

• ‘Excess’ deaths – all causes (ONS). In week 46 (7 Nov to 13 Nov), 19 deaths (all causes) occurred for York residents, which is 15 fewer than the average weekly number for 2014-18. Over the last 25 weeks the total number of deaths in York (all causes) has been 61 fewer than the average for the equivalent weeks in 2014-18.

• Local Registrar data: In the weekly data received on 23.11.20 (for deaths occurring up to 18.11.20), a cumulative total of 180 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 82.3, with an age range of 53-104. The age profile of those dying in York is older than the national average. 91 of the 180 were male (50.6%), less than the national average (55.3%). 75 people (41.7%) died in nursing /care homes; (the national average is 27.26%). In addition 14 people (7.78%) who normally resided in nursing/care homes in the CYC area, died in hospital.

Coronavirus York updates; 27th November 2020

Deaths and test results

Good News

No additional deaths at York Hospital Trust announced today

Only FOURTEEN (14) additional positive test results announced today. That is the lowest since September.

The 7 day case rate p/100k population figure has fallen to 126.8. That is the lowest since 30th September.

If case numbers continue to decline at the present rate then the City will be below the 100 benchmark figure before 10th December.

Eight neighbourhoods are now below the 100 weekly case rate benchmark.

Two neighbourhoods now have fewer than 2 cases each. This includes Wigginton which has gone from having one of the highest rates in the City to lowest in less than a week.

Infection rates are continuing to fall at City, County, Regional and national levels.

Vaccine

It is looking promising for the roll out of some vaccine injections in the City before Christmas

Vaccination centre on Moor Lane is expecting to start taking bookings at the beginning of December

The Authorities have already said that priority will be given to NHS front line workers, Care Homes and the over 80’s.

Most vaccinations are expected to be completed by GPs but a drive though centre at Moor Lane (old park and ride site), which has been used for flu jabs, will adapt to deal with the COVID programme.

For the latest on vaccine approval click here

NB. A rapid response coronavirus testing site will open at York St John University on Monday. The university is working with NHS Test & Trace to set up the Covid test site so that students without symptoms can be tested before the end of term.  

Reopening attractions in York

York Minster

YORK Minster will reopen for public worship next Wednesday and for sightseeing visits next Thursday.

(This is not a weather forecast)

The cathedral will reopen in line with guidance and the restrictions in the Government’s new three-tier Covid control system.

York is a Tier 2 location which allows the Minster to reopen for worship and for paying visitors, with appropriate measures in place for social distancing and controlling the spread of the infection.

The cathedral’s reopening schedule is as follows:

For Worship

Public worship will restart at York Minster next Wednesday with the following pattern of services:

Monday – Saturdays

7.30am – Matins – No booking required

7.50am – Holy Communion – No booking required

5.30pm – Evensong or Evening Prayer – No booking required until Christmas Week.

Sundays

8am – Holy Communion – No booking required

10am – Matins – Booking required

11am – Sung Eucharist – Booking required

4pm – Evensong – Booking required.

Reservations for Sunday services and services during Christmas Week 

Attendance at the three main Sunday services in December and services during Christmas Week will be by advance online reservation only with a strictly limited attendance. Reservations for the service on December 6 will open on Monday (November 30). The reservation dates for services during December and Christmas weeks will be announced approximately two weeks before the service is due to take place.

Reopening for visitors

York Minster will reopen for paying visitors from next Thursday. Admission by pre-booked online tickets only. Bookings open for visiting on Monday.

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

10am until 3.30pm (last timed ticket slot is 3pm).

(York Minster is currently closed on Tuesdays).

Sunday

12.30pm until 2.30pm (last timed ticket slot is 2pm).

The Minster shops inside the cathedral and at Minster Gates will also open daily in line with general visiting times.

Dean’s Park

The popular green space which runs along the north side of the cathedral, is open daily from 10am until 4pm.

Keeping people safe: Covid-19 control measures at York Minster

In line with Government and Church of England guidance, York Minster has implemented a range of measures to help keep visitors and staff safe. These include:

• compulsory wearing of masks inside the Minster

• limiting the number of people allowed inside

• reduced seating

• a one-way system to allow people to physically distance from one another

• hand sanitizer points

• additional cleaning measures

• staff and clergy wearing face masks and visors

• worshippers attending public services will also be asked to leave their name and contact details to assist with the NHS Test and Trace programme, in line with Government guidance.

Changes to services include no singing or sharing of the Peace and the suspension of the Common Cup during Holy Communion will continue. There will also be no plate collection at the end of services, although people are encouraged to make a donation using contactless donation points inside the cathedral.

Parts of the cathedral will remain closed including the Central Tower and Undercroft Museum and there will be no guided tours.

The Minster has been approved for the UK-wide ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard, launched this week by national tourism organisations for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, which demonstrates it is adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance.

York Minster’s arrangements for worship and visiting will come into effect from next Wednesday but may be subject to change following any further Government advice.

For further information visit www.yorkminster.org.

Railway Museum

The museum will be open from 10am – 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday and open in the run up to Christmas but visitors will need to book a free ticket online.

Coronavirus York update; 26th November 2020

Deaths and test results

There has been a big jump in the number of COVID deaths announced today. EIGHT new fatalities have been announced by the York Hospital Trust. Two occurred yesterday, four on Tuesday and two on Monday.

The cumulative total second wave death toll at the York and Scarborough hospitals has now reached 74

TWENTY NINE (29) additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total to 5576

It appears that the threshold used by the government, to determine whether an area could be given a Tier 1 classification, was that the location must have fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 head of population. Very few areas met this criteria (Cornwall, Isle of Wight).

On the last validated numbers (21st Nov) York had 132.47 cases per 100k population.

On the present downward trajectory, York would pass below 100 cases threshold before the next review date. This is expected to be 10th December with any changes in classification effective from 16th December.

During the week ending 19th November, 3530 P2 tests were carried out in York. Of these, 8.6% proved to be positive.

This was a lower positivity rate than was seen during the previous week

Neighbourhood data has now been published. There is little change from yesterday.

We have reordered the table to reflect the cases per 100k of population rate.

This is one of the the figures that the government used to determine which Tier an area was allocated into.

Essentially the City needs to have a rate below 100 to be considered for Tier1 by 10th December.

Two neighbourhoods. Heslington and Clifton Without, are well above this rate at present.

The colour coding now reflects the central government’s presentation key

Tier 2 for York

York has been placed back into Tier 2 restrictions by the government. The new arrangements start on Tuesday.

The main impact is on pubs which will have to serve meals if they are to open while households will not be able to mix indoors.

All shops, hairdressers etc will still reopen from Tuesday.

The situation will be reviewed after a fortnight and may be changed again before Christmas

Outdoor events will be limited to 2000 spectators.

This will affect York City FC who were hoping to move into the new Community Stadium at Monks Cross.

However work at the stadium is still underway today with no sign of completion in sight. The Club may look to reopen Bootham Crescent. Social distancing at an all seater stadium would be easier to manage.

An update from the York Council on the stadium situation is long overdue.

It looks like high case rates in Scarborough may have contributed to York being placed in Tier 2 restrictions. There may be concerns about capacity at the York Hospital Trust which is also responsible for care in Scarborough. More details are available by clicking here

West and South Yorkshire have been placed into the highest TIER 3 category. This includes additional restrictions on travel to, and from, the areas.

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R growth rates government information
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Map of tier boudaries

COVID Winter Grant Scheme for the needy

The York Council will consider next week how it is to allocate the, government funded, Winter Grant scheme.

On Sunday 8 November 2020, the government announced a package of extra targeted financial support for those in need over the winter period. The COVID Winter Grant Scheme will see new funding issued to councils to support those most in need with the cost of food, energy and water bills and other associated costs.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will provide funding to the council, who will administer the scheme and provide direct assistance to vulnerable households and families with children particularly affected by the pandemic.

This will include some families who normally have access to Free School Meals (FSM) during term time.

The funding allocation for York is £416,729.

Around £200,000 of the fund is set to be used to provide meals for needy children during the Christmas and Easter school holidays (i.e. those who would normally quality for Free School Meals)

Click to access

There are already many local schemes operating which provide support to local people hit by te pandemic. These include surplus food giveaways

Coronavirus York updates; 25th November 2020

Deaths and test results

FOUR (4) additional deaths announced by York Hospital Trust today. 3 occurred on Sunday and one on Monday. This brings the cumulative second wave fatality total to 66 at the York and Scarborough hospitals

TWENTY NINE (29) new positive test results announced today bringing the cumulative total to 5547

The figures will be looked at with greater interest today as the government is set to announce tomorrow (Thursday) which tier the City will be placed with effect from next Tuesday.

There are some positive indicators

There has been a sustained reduction in case numbers from 57.86 per day when Lockdown was introduced on 5th November to 38.1 today

The City has a lower case rate per 100k head of population than the county, regional and national averages.

Only two neighbourhoods are now above the national average (Heslington and Clifton Without).

On the other hand the case rate at 132.47 is still higher than it was at the peak of the first wave (96.86 on 5th May). 169 residents lost their lives to the virus during the spring and early summer.

We expect the City to be put into Tier1 along with Ryedale and Hambleton. If so we hope it doesn’t encourage the kind of activities which were seen on our streets in September.

Coronavirus York updates; 24th November 2020

Christmas

Households across the UK will be able to form a “Christmas bubble” with two other households during a five-day window over the festive period, it has been announced.

Between 23 to 27 December, people will be able to meet with those two other households in their bubble – but only in a private home, a place of worship or outdoor public spaces.

Travel restrictions across the whole of the UK will also be lifted during the five-day period, allowing people to travel between countries or between tiers in order to meet with those in their bubble.

Deaths and test results

ONE additional death reported by the York Hospital Trust. It occurred on Saturday. The cumulative second wave death toll at York and Scarborough hospitals is now 62.

THREE more care home deaths have been announced. ONE occurred on 17th November and TWO on the 19th. The cumulative second wave death toll in local care homes has now reached seven (CQC figures).

There is some concern in the City that any decision, on which “Tier” York will find itself in on Thursday, may be influenced by hospital capacity issues. The above hospital deaths figure may not tell the whole story.

The Trust has not broken down the split in fatalities between the York and Scarborough units. Furthermore, the NHS is (rightly) flexing its capacity to address peaks in different parts of the region, so there may be some non York residents included in the recent 62 reported fatalities.

An alternative way of looking at the issue is by analysing the data on death occurrences provide by the ONS (click) and which relates to people normally resident in York.

This shows that there have so far been 185 fatalities this year as a result of COVID.

However, only 14 of these have occurred since the beginning of September. Of these, 8 were hospital deaths

Even allowing for some delay in figures coming through, that represents a more encouraging picture.

Deaths to 13th November 2020

There have been 29 new positive test results announced today. That is the lowest daily total since September. It brings the total number of cases to 5518.

The daily new infection rate (7 day rolling average) is now below 40.

Only two neighbourhoods in York are now above the national infection rate. They are Clifton Without and Skelton (following a recent spike) and Heslington where case levels are reducing only slowly.

Elsewhere in the City case numbers are generally falling steadily.

Extra financial support for York businesses

Even more York businesses impacted by the latest lockdown can benefit from financial support as City of York Council launches a new grant scheme today.

The council has worked with partners and business leaders to decide how to most fairly and effectively use the discretionary Additional  Restrictions Grant.

Businesses now have until Monday 7 December to apply for the grants, which are open to:

  • Businesses effectively forced to close through lockdown but don’t qualify for government grants, whether they are liable for business rates or not.
  • Businesses where trade is impacted by more than 75% due to lockdown, whether they are liable for business rates or not.

Applications must be from:

  • A York-based business which have fixed premises in York – (note fixed premises is not a market stall or pitch) or
  • businesses run by a York resident and trade is at least 75% in York (note this could be a market stall or pitch).

The council is also preparing a voucher scheme for local businesses to access support like training form local providers.

Business must not be in administration, insolvent, or have a striking off notice made against it, must have started trading before 5 November 2020, and not in receipt of unoccupied rates for business rates.

For more information about all the grants available for business affected currently visit the council website.

Coronavirus York updates; 23rd November 2020

Deaths & test results

FOUR further deaths have been announced by the York Hospital Trust today. One occurred on Friday, one on Saturday and two yesterday. The second wave death toll at the York and Scarborough hospitals has now reached 61.

The have been THIRTY SEVEN (37) new positive test results announced today. That brings the total to 5489

The infection rate continues to gradually reduce in the City and is now less than a third of the rate seen at the peak on 16th October.

Two neighbourhoods in York remain above average rates. This is partly because we are continuing to see a reduction in case numbers at county, regional and national levels.

Restrictions to be eased

England’s second national lockdown will be lifted on 2 December when a revised three-tiered system of restrictions will allow shops, gyms and hairdressers to reopen across the country.

Lockdown will end a week on Wednesday, following a month of tougher national instructions.

The lifting of the national lockdown from 2 December will see:

  • Non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and leisure facilities reopen across the whole of England
  • Collective worship, weddings and all outdoor sports can resume, subject to social distancing, across the whole of England
  • The “rule of six” will return – meaning people will no longer be limited to seeing only one other person in outdoor public – across the whole of England
  • The previous 10pm curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants will be extended to 11 pm, with last orders at 10pm. But new rules mean pubs operating under Tier 2 can only trade if customers have a “substantial meal”. And in Tier 3, pubs must shut and can only sell goods for takeaway.

In Tier 1 and 2 areas (likely to include York) limited numbers will be allowed back into spectator stadiums.

  • In Tier 1, 50% capacity or 4,000 spectators – whichever is lower – will be allowed in outdoor venues, with a maximum 1,000 indoors.
  • In Tier 2, 50% capacity or 2,000 spectators – whichever is lower, will be allowed in outdoor venues, with a maximum 1,000 indoors.

Whether the new LNER community stadium at Monks Cross is complete and can actually now be brought into use remains to be seen.

People in England will also now be able to travel abroad for holidays once again from 2 December, although they will remain subject to quarantine rules.

It is unclear whether there will be any enforced restrictions on travel from high to low infection rate areas within the UK. The government talks of “guidance”. That could be a critical issue in York if large numbers seek to travel to the City in the run up to Christmas. There is anxiety that an influx could push up local infection rates.

In Tier 1 areas, people will still be urged to work from home wherever possible.

Theatres will have to close in the top tier of restrictions, with audience capacity limits set for venues in tiers where performances are permitted.

The tiers that areas are allocated to will be announced on Thursday.

University students in England will be urged to take two Covid tests, three days apart, to cut the risk of spreading infection when they travel home for Christmas. These are lateral flow tests with rapid results – with those testing negative expected to leave university within the following 24 hours. The pre-Christmas testing is expected to start in York next week. But testing will remain voluntary.

Rules on gatherings and travel over the festive period are still yet to be confirmed.

The “Covid Winter Plan” has been published on the government’s website. (click)

The BBC has published the following summary of the planned restriction levels.

Coronavirus York updates; 22nd November 2020

Deaths and test results

TWO additional deaths at the York Hospital Trust were announced today. The fatalities occurred on Wednesday. It brings the cumulative second wave total at the York and Scarborough Hospitals to 57.

FOURTY (40) additional positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 5452

The latest verified, 7 day rolling, average number of new cases is now 46.1. That is the lowest rate since 1st October.

To put the figure into context it is still almost twice the highest rate (29.1) seen, during the first wave of the pandemic, on 5th May.

The highest rate recorded during the second wave (so far) has been the 133.9 which was seen on 16th October.

For the first time since September no neighbourhood in York is above the 300 cases per 100k population threshold

The New Earswick neighbourhood has had a consistent downward trend for several weeks and now has only one case.

The case numbers in other neighbourhoods, including Heslington and Poppleton/Rufforth/Askhams, are trending downwards

The case rate is reducing at City, County, Regional and national level.

Coronavirus York updates; 21st November 2020

Deaths and test results

There have been THREE additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today. Two occurred on Thursday and one yesterday. This brings the total second wave fatality toll at York and Scarborough hospitals to 55.

THIRTY ONE new positive test results announced today bringing the case total to 5412.

Today sees the first significant reduction in case numbers since Lockdown 2 was introduced. The weekly case rate number is below 50 for the first time for seven weeks.

Case numbers are also continuing to decline at county, regional and national level.

Most neighbourhoods, including Heslington and Fulford Road, are now seeing reduced numbers of cases.

There has been a recent spike in the Clifton Without/Skelton neighbourhood

Coronavirus York updates; 20th November 2020

Deaths and test results

THREE (3) additional deaths announced by York Hospital Trust today. Two occurred on Wednesday and one yesterday. Brings second wave total fatalities at York and Scarborough hospitals to 52

THIRTY SIX (36) additional positive test results announced today bringing the cumulative total for the City to 5381

Most neighbourhoods remain below the regional and national averages.

There has been a spike in cases recently in the Clifton North area.

Case numbers at Heslington are beginning to fall again

Otherwise the slow gradual downward trend in case numbers continues. This is now matched at county, regional and national level.

Lockdown impact on case numbers

It may be worth remembering, as we start to assess the impact of lockdown 2 on York, that it took 2 months before case numbers peaked during the first lockdown period in the spring.

The second wave of infections in the City was already trending down before, first Tier 2 then full lockdown, restrictions were introduced.

However, the peak infection rate has, and remains, much higher than was seen in the spring. There is still a long way to go and it could be well into next year before infection rates start to reflect first wave exit numbers.

7 day rolling case number averages. First wave (March – June) compared to Second wave (Sept – Nov)
  • First lockdown started 16th March
  • First lockdown eased from 13th May.
  • York enters Tier 2 restrictions 17th October
  • Second lockdown starts 5th November

Source of infections

PHE has published some data indicating where victims may have come into contact with the virus. This is national data extracted from the the NHS App. and covered the period between 9th and 15th November. We believe that this information should also be published at a local level.

The major contact areas are revealed as supermarkets and schools. It is not suggested that these were the locations where victims caught the virus.

Surplus food distribution very popular

We understand that as many as 70 people have been attending the surplus food distribution sessions at the Foxwood Community Centre. Sessions take place twice a week.

More help for businesses

The York Council has announced how it proposes to allocate the Additional Restrictions Grant of £4,212,360 which it it has received as a one-off payment from the government. It must cover the current lockdown, any
future national lockdown, and any period when York might be
subject to local Tier 3 restrictions before the end of financial year
2021/22.

For businesses that predominantly supply their goods and services
the Government’s Inter Departmental Business Register shows there to be approximately 250 businesses in scope in York. Some are wholesalers to nonessential retail, while others are the greengrocers, fishmongers,
butchers, commercial laundries, cleaning contractors and others
who provide services to hospitality and accommodation providers.
A further related sector is companies who work with venues and
hospitality providers to arrange events – can also be thought
of as suppliers

  • For those with fixed commercial premises costs – rent payable to a landlord – a payment of £1,334 per 28-day qualifying restriction period (base level of LRSG(Closed) payments)
  •  For those without fixed premises costs, a payment of £500 per 28-day qualifying restriction period.

Details can be found by clicking here

Covid-secure winter beds for rough sleepers

The official number of rough sleepers in York has fallen to three and Covid-secure emergency winter beds are available to help people off the streets.

Arrangements are in place to ensure the welfare of rough sleepers this winter, including beds available in addition to the regular emergency accommodation. In line with guidelines to minimise the transmission of the virus, this accommodation is to support even more people off the streets, rather than sleeping rough and vulnerable to even more danger in the coldest months.

York goes above and beyond the national ‘severe weather scheme’ by making these beds available whether or not it’s freezing. We also accept rough sleepers’ dogs in a number of our hostels in York, and have done so since 2000.

Officers from the Salvation Army and the council are constantly working with people on the streets to bring them into the accommodation they need. Some of the winter beds offered are at council hostels where partner agencies and volunteer groups give extra support including providing food or clothing over the winter months.

In all emergency accommodation, people are offered help to address any issues which may have led them to becoming homeless. This includes referral to services for mental health or substance misuse, as well as training for work and how to manage a lasting tenancy. Once that stage is successfully underway, people are offered accommodation with less support before, hopefully, they move into private or affordable fully-independent homes.

Rough Sleeper services are operating as usual: for a bed, please go to 63 Lawrence Street before midday or call 01904 416562.

Anyone who sees a person sleeping rough can ring Streetlink on 0300 500 0194 which will alert us to visit the location and offer support. Many other ways to help people off the streets can be found at www.york.gov.uk/roughsleeping