FOUR (4) additional hospital deaths announced today. Two occurred on Monday and two yesterday. That brings the total death toll at the York Hospital Trust, since 1st September, to 154.
The latest ONS figures reveal that, during the week ending on 18th December, a further 3 York residents died as a result of coronavirus. This brings the total death toll since the beginning of September to 40.
Of these 40 York residents, 19 deaths occurred in hospital*, 15 in care homes, 3 at a hospice and 3 at home.
*These numbers vary from those quoted for the York Hospital Trust as the later caters for patients from a wide part of Yorkshire.
The cumulative COVID death toll among York residents has now reached 211. The highest fatality rate occurred during the week ending 1st May 2020 (29 deaths).
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY NINE (149) new positive test results were announced today.
The infection rate fell back slightly to 235.0 as a result of fewer tests being carried out on Christmas Day.
However, the rate is set to rise to at least 312.4 over the next couple of days
No major changes at neighbourhood level although these figures are also influenced by the low number of tests completed on Christmas Day
York in Tier 3
Something of a surprise that York has avoided Tier 4 restrictions given the sharply rising local infection rate
TWO additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today. One occurred on 26th and the other on 27th December.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE (123) additional positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 6890
The 127 positive result figure on Sunday was the highest recorded since 19th October.
The rate /100k population figure is now 240.3. It is expected to rise to at least 293.0 over the next few days.
The highest figure recorded this year was 444.9 on 16th October. If the present trend continues then that figure will be exceeded early next week.
Of the cases announced on the 24th December, 69 were aged under 60 while 11 were aged over 60.
While the rate of increase in infections leveled off in the run up to Christmas at regional and national level, the reverse was the case in York where case numbers continued to grow strongly (there was a similar surge in the adjacent area of Hambleton).
Residents will be expecting to hear an explanation for the divergence from the authorities.
For the first time, during the third wave of infections, the infection rate has exceeded 500 in two neighbourhoods (Bishopthorpe & Woodthorpe)
This is still well below the peak seen in Heslington in October which saw over 3000 cases /100k population.
However, several neighbourhoods are now seeing record high infection levels.
There has been a steep increase in Dunnington – the first time during the third wave that a neighbourhood on the east of the City has recorded such a high number (478.5)
THREE (3) additional hospital deaths announced today. One occurred on 25th and two yesterday. Brings the cumulative death toll at the York and Scarborough hospitals since 1st September to 148.
FIFTY FOUR (54) additional positive test results announced today. That brings the cumulative total to 6,668
Rate/100k population figure is 196.1 and is set to rise to 240.3.
One neighbourhood has climbed above the 400 case threshold (Poppleton).
We are entering a period where the number of tests carried out will be lower.
NB. The vaccination center on Moor Lane is currently closed for the holiday. No figures have been issued indicating the number of vaccinations which have been completed locally over the last few days.
COVID where next?
The coronavirus infection statistics in York have made depressing reading over the last few days. The rate per head of population spiraled up to reach 234.6 on Christmas Eve. It could be more than that when the final test results are added in.
In effect, the infection level in the City has trebled since “Lockdown 2” ended on 2nd December.
Other Tier 2 areas have also seen rises. Although York is now above the average rate for North Yorkshire it is urban areas like Scarborough which are also worst hit. So far Harrogate has bucked the trend.
So what went wrong?
Many areas like Leeds which have T3 restrictions in place have seen a less dramatic increase in infection rates.
York’s Tier 2 restrictions differ from areas like Leeds in two significant ways.
In Tier 3 areas
People are prohibited from socialising with anybody they do not live with &
Pubs and bars are only permitted to remain open to operate as restaurants
The virus seems to cycle through all neighbourhoods. Rates are on the increase across most of the City.
Trends at neighbourhood level in York
It seems likely that York will become a Tier 3 area sometime during the next few days. It may subsequently be added to the Tier 4 restrictions area – effectively reintroducing lockdown.
One additional death reported by the York Hospital Trust today
SEVENTY EIGHT additional positive test results announced today.
Age profile of cases
The latest infection figures show that 16.3% of positive test results in York related to people aged over 60. This is generally good news as fatalities for the disease are low for the younger age groups.
There were 13 positive test results recorded in the over 60 age group on the latest day (19th Dec) for which figures have been posted. As with the younger age group, infection rates have increased over the last few days.
It is too soon for the vaccination initiative to have had any effect on the numbers, but the expectation is that the over 60’s will become gradually more immune to the virus as the programme gathers pace.
The latest proportions (24/12/20) of positive test results that relate to over 60’s are
York – 16.3% (rolling 7 day average)
North Yorkshire – 21.3% (19/12/20)
Yorkshire – 20.8% (19/12/20)
England – 15.2% (19/12/20)
Council commentary
The York Council has updated itscommentary on the pandemic. It is reproduced below.
People with Covid Symptoms
• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 21.12.20 there had been 133 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 23.12.20, the Covid Symptom App estimates 357.1 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 4,631 people). The peak rate was 1,116.3 on 31.10.20.
Diagnosed cases (Pillar 1&2 combined)
• As at 23.12.20 York has had 6,345 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 3,012.6 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (3,267.5) and regional (4,379.1) 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 (20.12.20) is Red.
• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 15.12.20 to 21.12.20 in York is 163.8 (using data published on Gov.uk on 23.12.20).
• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 12.12.20 to 18.12.20 was 115.4. The national and regional averages at this date were 325.4 and 163.1 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 23.12.20).
• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 11.12.20 to 17.12.20 for people aged 60+ in York was 72.6. The national and regional averages were 186.4 and 137 respectively.
• As at 21.12.20, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 only) was 3.95%. The national and regional averages are 9.4% and 5.6% respectively. The breakdown for York over the last 7 days by type of test is 137 positives from 2,662 lab based (PCR) tests (5.15%) and 11 positives from 1,083 rapid (lateral flow) tests (1.02%).
Contact Tracing
• Since 28.5.20 a total of 5,208 laboratory confirmed CYC Covid cases have been uploaded into the NHS Test and Trace system and 4,558 of the cases have been completed (87.5%). 14,240 ‘contacts’ have been identified and 8,932 of these have been completed (62.7%). Source: PHE Report.
• Local Tracing of Cases: Between 22.10.20 and 18.12.20, 373 ‘actionable’ positive COVID-19 CYC cases have been referred to the local contact tracing service. 372 of the referrals (99.7%) have been actioned and 1 is still ‘in progress. Of the referrals actioned, 267 were successful and 104 were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible.
Cases in Residential Settings / Schools
• As at 23.12.20 there were 7 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 23.12.20 (1 home).
• In the 7 days up to 20.12.20 there were 23 children of primary and secondary school age who tested positive (across 16 different schools).
COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital
• As at 22.12.20 there were 39 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General and Acute beds. The previous figure on 21.12.20 was 44.
• As at 22.12.20 there were 5 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 1 suspected Covid-19 patients in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The previous figures on 21.12.20 were 5 and 0 respectively.
• As at 22.12.20 there had been 0 patients admitted with suspected Covid-19 and 0 with confirmed Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours.
Recovery from Covid-19
• Between 13.4.20 and 20.12.20, 276 CYC residents had recovered and been successfully discharged from York hospital after needing NHS care for symptoms linked to covid-19 infection. 12 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 18.12.20 was estimated to be in the range 0.9 to 1.1. The previous estimate was (0.7 to 0.9) on 11.12.20.
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 11th December 2020 and registered up to 19th December 2020, 208 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (99 in hospital, 91 in care homes, 12 at home and 6 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 98.76 which is lower than the national average of 121.04. There have been 36 Covid-19 deaths of CYC residents reported by ONS in the last 10 weeks (Weeks 41 to 50).
• ‘Excess’ deaths – all causes (ONS). Between week 2 and week 50 there were a total of 143 ‘excess deaths’ in York compared with the average weekly numbers for 2014-2018. The breakdown over the year so far is: 18 fewer deaths in weeks 2-14, 210 more deaths in weeks 15-21 (when covid deaths were at their peak) and 49 fewer deaths in weeks 22-50.
• Local Registrar data: In the weekly data received on 21.12.20 (for deaths occurring up to 16.12.20), a cumulative total of 199 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. 98 of the 199 were male (49.2%), less than the national average (55.4%). 83 people (41.7%) died in nursing /care homes; (the national average is 25.94%). In addition 16 people (8.04%) who normally resided in nursing/care homes in the CYC area, died in hospital.
TWO (2) additional deaths announced by York Hospital Trust today. One occurred on Tuesday and one yesterday.
The latest P2 testing figures have been released. They cover the week ending 16th December during which time 3962 tests were completed. The proportion positive were 5%. That is double the rate recorded during the previous week.
ONE HUNDRED and THREE (103) additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total in City up to 6448
The validated rate /100k population has now reached 127.3. It is expected to reach over 180 within a couple of days. The 91 cases identified on Tuesday was the largest single day figure since 22nd October.
THREE (3) additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today. Two occurred yesterday and one on 17th Dec. The cumulative death toll has now reached 276.
142 of these have occurred since the start of September.
SEVENTY TWO (72) additional positive test results were announced today. That is fewer than yesterday but the figure suggests that the virus is still spreading quickly in the City.
The cumulative total number of cases seen in the City has now reached 6345
The rate /100k population figure climbed to 115.4 last Friday (the latest available validated data).
It is, however, set to rise to over 163 following 71 new cases being reported on Sunday.
Infections are currently growing at a faster rate than was seen during either the spring or autumn waves.
The latest validated figures (last Friday) for neighbourhoods show some large increases in infection levels.
There are more in the pipeline so extreme caution over Christmas would seem to be the best advice that can be offered to residents living in all parts of York.
Thelatest figures published by the government confirm that, since the beginning of September and up to 11th December, 37 York residents have lost their lives as a result of the Coronavirus.
Of these, 15 died in care homes, 16 in hospital, 3 at home and 3 at a Hospice.
Commentators will be scanning with interest the new “positivity” figures which are due to be published tomorrow.
The number of P2 tests conducted reached 6309 during the week ending 9th December. 2% of tests produced positive results. The latest results will give an indication of the impact that the third wave of infections is having on the number of local cases.
Please stay safe and look after each other
Amid a sharp rise in cases in York, city leaders are asking for a huge citywide effort to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
In recent days York has seen a substantial increase in the number of positive cases being returned. The positivity rate has increased to 4.09% and the latest validated rate for the period 11.12.20 to 17.12.20 was 103.5. This figure is expected to increase in the coming days. The council’s provisional rate for of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 14.12.20 to 20.12.20 in York is 140.5
The council is asking everyone to do what they can to keep themselves and others safe by:
Meeting people outside if you can (if you do see people inside for Christmas keep the windows open to let air flow through and keep it short, keep it local and keep it safe)
Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds or more with soap and water
Wear a face covering when in busy public spaces
Give people space – 2m is best
Self-isolating when asked to by test and trace
Getting a symptom-free test if you are eligible (book online)
In the coming days the council’s COVID support marshalls and BID rangers will support North Yorkshire Police’s continued patrolling in the city to help people to stay safe, and will take enforcement measures if necessary.
EIGHT (8) additional deaths at the York Hospital Trust announced today. One occurred on Friday, one on Saturday three on Sunday and three yesterday.
The cumulative total since the beginning of September is now 139.
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN (107) additional positive test results announced today. That is the largest total for over 2 months. It brings the cumulative total to 6166.
Rate /100k population rises to 103.5.
The situation is continuing to worsen.
The 63 infections found on Sunday was worst single day figure seen since 2nd November.
The picture at neighbourhood level reflects the general increase in infection rates.
No neighbourhood now has fewer than 3 cases.
Infection rates are growing quickly at national level.
They are fairly stable at regional level much of which has Tier 3 restrictions in place.
Rates at North Yorkshire and City level are growing at approximately the same rate.
Residents will be expecting an early statement from the health authorities.
Infection rates are rising as quickly as we saw in September and October. This led to the early imposition of increased restrictions.
It is still not at all clear which are the major sources of the infection.
The most likely transmission areas are inter household mixing (whether inside or outside) & leisure venues.
More information should by now be available from the contact tracing teams. We hope that the Council will share this information with residents.
Working on behalf of 11 GP Practices, Nimbuscare announced at the weekend that it has opened a COVID-19 vaccination site in York.
They have begun offering the COVID-19 vaccine to invited individuals..
Key things to know about the new site:
Those in the first priority groups will be offered the vaccine first. All those vaccinated will also need to come for a booster jab at a later date. People will be contacted when the time is right to come for their appointment. You will be contacted by letter, text message or phone call. Please don’t contact your local GP practice or hospital to ask about the vaccine and please do not come to the site without an appointment. Getting vaccinated means protecting yourself form the virus so you can be there for your family, friends and patients.
Seasonal surplus food distribution tomorrow (Wednesday)
More on fines for Tier 3 visitors
Shocking number of fines handed to tier 3 visitors ignoring restrictions and visiting York this weekend
City of York police have issued a shocking number of fines to tier 3 residents, who chose to flout regulations and visit the city this weekend.
Local policing teams made proactive visits with City of York Council covid support marshalls and enforcement officers to a number of licensed premises on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to ensure people were acting responsibly and being safe by sticking to the regulations around indoor gatherings and the rule of six outdoors.
However, officers encountered large numbers of visitors from tier 3 areas, who had chosen to ignore the warnings and put local residents at risk by flouting the regulations. Many were found to be from multiple households who were mixing indoors, clearly breaking the tier 3 restrictions which travel with them. When spoken to by officers, some did disperse and leave the area, but some groups were resistant to police advice, resulting in enforcement action being taken.
Over the weekend police have processed 61 tickets issued in York alone, with 55 being handed to tier 3 residents in breach of their tier regulations. However, officers have stated that there are over 100 more tickets in the pipeline, awaiting paperwork completion and processing.
Superintendent Mike Walker, who is leading the North Yorkshire Police response to Covid-19 said:
“Looking at the numbers of fines handed out this weekend which are still awaiting processing, we believe that we have handed out over 160 tickets, with the vast majority being issued to tier 3 residents who visited York to mix and socialise indoors, which is in clear breach of their restrictions.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have been very clear about our approach and the action taken this weekend is evidence of it. We have stated our teams would be patrolling, speaking to the public and encouraging them to adhere to the rules. Where we encounter people who refuse to adhere to the regulations and believe their pint is more important than someone’s life, we will use our enforcement powers.
“Some people who were spoken to by officers did go home. However, our teams encountered large numbers of people who were not responsive to the advice, leaving us no option but to enforce through the use of fixed penalty notices.
“We will continue to patrol the city and the wider county and we will be visiting licensed premises and busy shopping areas. People very clearly know and understand the risks, they know that this virus is deadly, they will know about the identification of a new strain and know the serious steps the Government has taken in the South East, so there really is no excuse for acting so irresponsibly.
“If you choose to visit the city of York from tier 3 areas without a justifiable reason to have made your journey – with our extra patrols, chances are you will encounter one of our officers and you’ll be asked about the reason for your visit. It is our responsibility to ask those questions, to determine the truth and take the necessary action, in order to stop the spread and ultimately save lives.
“We remain undeterred from our objective to keep the people of North Yorkshire safe.”
Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for safer communities at City of York Council said: “We want people to enjoy York safely and in line with Government rules. You should not travel across tier boundaries and in York, tier 2 restrictions must be followed: meet only your household or your bubble, or up to six people outside. Please remember to continue to wash your hands, wear a face covering and give each other 2 metres space.
“No one in the city wants to put loved ones at risk for the sake of a night out and undo the city’s hard work and sacrifice.”
No additional deaths were recorded by the York Hospital Trust today.
FORTY SEVEN (47) additional positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total up to 6166
The rate /100k population has reached 93.6. Is likely to exceed 100 when tomorrow’s figures are confirmed.
The first wave peak was 96.9 on 5th May.
The second wave peaked at 441 on 15th October.
Infection rates are continuing to rise across most of the City. Only the Clifton North area has fewer than 3 cases
Visitors from Tier 3 areas fined
Supt Mike Walker has told a North Yorkshire resilience forum that 18 fines had been issued by North Yorkshire Police at the weekend to Tier 2 residents and 56 to visitors from Tier 3 areas. He said the big problem had primarily been people gathering indoors, in pubs and houses, where the virus could spread.
Hospitals
The number of Covid patients at York Hospital has risen by 11 in the past week. The hospital currently has 46 patients with the coronavirus, Harrogate Hospital has 14 – down from 21 – and Scarborough has 36, down by two.
