Coronavirus York updates; 9th October 2020

Deaths and test results

There have been no further hospital deaths reported today.

The number of new cases announced today is 46 (FOURTY SIX). That is the lowest, single day, total announced this week.

The cumulative total number of cases is now 1884

The number of new cases in the last 7 days – expressed pro rate to 100,000 of population – is 201.32. This is higher than the regional and national average.

The worst affected neighbourhood is still Heslington, Fulford and the University. There have been 61 confirmed cases there in the last week.

We have looked at how the number of tests being carried out may be influencing the reported number of cases. The governments figures (click) only cover the period up to 30th September and cover pillar 2 tests only. . They don’t yet cover the period after the new Heslington test centre had ramped up to full capacity. The figure do however show that the recent surge in cases is not solely down to increased testing.

York Council commentary

The Council has updated its “open data” commentary on the pandemic. It is reproduced below

People with Covid Symptoms

• NHS Pathways /111 triages – as at 5.10.20 there had been 406 total covid triages in the CYC area in the last 7 days. The numbers have just started to fall in the last few days after a very steep rise over the previous 2-3 weeks with a peak of 653 triages in the 7 day period to 20.9.20.

• As at 7.10.20, the Covid Symptom App estimates 733.2 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 5,352 people). The peak estimated rate was 1,029.4 on 29.9.20.

Diagnosed cases (Pillar 1&2 combined)

• As at 8.10.20 York has had 1,838 cases, a rate of 872.7 per 100,000 of population. The rate in York is above the national average (853.9) but below the regional average (1193.4) average.

• 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 (5.10.20) is Amber

• The provisional rate for the last seven days of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population in York as at 6.10.20 is 203.69. The provisional national and regional averages are 124.68 and 220.24 respectively.

• The latest local “validated” 7 day rate at 2.10.20 was 161. The national and regional averages at this date were 109.3 and 190.1 respectively.

• As at 5.10.20, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 only) was 11.57% (447 positives out of 3,864 tests). The national and regional averages are 7.1% and 10.7% respectively. The number of Pillar 2 tests being carried out in York is increasing.

• The Fulford, Heslington and University MSOA is in the top 5% in the Yorkshire and Humber Region for new cases per 100,000 in the seven day period up to 2.10.20. Other MSOAs in the region (e.g. Leeds and Bradford) which contain university premises within their boundaries are also on this list.

Contact Tracing

• Since 28.5.20 a total of 1,003 laboratory confirmed CYC Covid cases have been uploaded into the NHS Test and Trace system and 703 of the cases have been engaged. 2,609 ‘contacts’ have been identified and 1,699 of these have been traced.

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 25th September 2020 and registered up to 3rd October 2020, 172 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (83 in hospital, 77 in care homes, 9 at home and 3 in a hospice. The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 81.66 which is lower than the national average of 89.10. The most recent death reported for a York resident was in week 38 (12 to 18 September).

• ‘Excess’ deaths (ONS). In week 39 (19 Sept to 25 Sept), 21 deaths occurred in York, which is 8 fewer than the average weekly number for 2014-18. Over the last 18 weeks the total number of deaths in York has been 53 fewer than the average for the equivalent weeks in 2014-18.

• Local Registrar data: In the weekly data received on 5.10.20 (for deaths occurring up to 30.9.20), a cumulative total of 163 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 82.5, with an age range of 53-104. The age profile of those dying in York is slightly older than the national average. 87 of the 163 were male (53.4%), slightly less than the national average (55.1%). 81 of the deaths occurred in hospital and 82 were community deaths (e.g. at home or in a care home or hospice). 71 people (43.6%) died in nursing /care homes (the national average is 29.43%). In addition 13 people (8%) who normally resided in nursing/care homes in the CYC area, died in hospital.

Data on deaths occurring in hospital are shown below. Deaths are initially reported for York NHS Foundation Trust which includes Scarborough Hospital and the further breakdown by site can be delayed. From local registrar data, 58.1% of COVID-19 deaths occurring at York Hospital have been CYC residents. (NB NHS Trusts record deaths following a positive covid-19 test (within 28 days) whereas ONS record deaths where covid-19 in mentioned on the death certificate so the totals are not the same).

• Deaths at York Hospital: As at 8.10.20, 136 deaths of people who had tested positive for COVID-19 and were being cared for at York Hospital have been reported. 216 deaths have been reported by the wider York NHS Trust.

Coronavirus York updates; 8th October 2020

Deaths and test results

Another death reported today at York hospital. This is the second in a week.

At the end of September there were 18 COVID patients being looked after by the Hospital Trust. The NHS do not published daily bulletins giving bed occupancy and discharge numbers at local authority level. We think that – – given the huge surge in local case numbers – they should now do so.

73 (SEVENTY THREE) additional positive test results have been announced today. This brings the total to 1838.

The cumulative 7 day average number of cases, per 100,000 population, peaked at 203.69 on Tuesday. This is significantly higher than the national average.

The worst affected neighbourhoods are currently Heslington, the City centre, the Groves and Tang Hall. All have large numbers of student occupied properties.

According to media reports, 135 people from the University of York have tested positive for Covid-19.

The number of students self-isolating has hit 1,000.

Volunteers are being recruited to help deliver food to the students stuck in uni accommodation. City of York Council has sent out an email to its team of volunteers asking for their help. It says: “The quantity of Covid-19 positive tests at the University of York has doubled. There are 1,000 students on campus socially isolating and the University of York needs support to ensure they can deliver food to them.”

Stricter rules for businesses

We know of, and are incredibly grateful for, the amount of work businesses are undertaking to ensure their premises are COVID secure for staff and customers.

The new measures from the government brought in this week also brought in increased punishment for businesses who aren’t COVID secure.

Businesses and organisations will face stricter rules to make their premises COVID Secure (from 28 September):

A wider range of leisure and entertainment venues, services provided in community centres, and close contact services will be subject to the COVID-19 Secure requirements in law and fines of up to £10,000 for repeated breaches.Employers must not knowingly require or encourage someone who is being required to self-isolate to come to work.Businesses must remind people to wear face coverings where mandated.

New guidance on £9 billion Job Retention Bonus

Further information has been published on how businesses can claim the government’s Job Retention Bonus, with millions set to benefit from the £9 billion package.

the Job Retention Bonus, worth up to £9 billion is set to support millions of employers who have kept on furloughed workersthe bonus will work alongside newly announced Job Support Scheme and could be worth more than 60% of average wages of workers who have been furloughed – and are kept on until the start of February 2021businesses can claim for the Bonus from 15 February until the end of March.

Read the full update at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-guidance-on-9-billion-job-retention-bonus-set-to-benefit-millions-of-businesses

Self-isolation support payments

Eligible employees who are required to self-isolate by the Government’s Test and Track scheme, will be eligible for one-off payments to support them through the 14-day quarantine period.

The new Test and Trace Support Payment scheme from the Government is for people on low incomes who are unable to work from home while they are self-isolating. Where earnings are affected by self-isolating, applicants may be entitled to some financial support; a one-off ‘Test and Trace Support Payment’ of £500. Anyone told to self-isolate by the NHS’s scheme must do so or face fines of up to £10,000, and the £500 payment must be returned.

The scheme will also apply to eligible self-employed people who can prove they are unable to work while self-isolating.

Information on how to apply for a self-isolation support payment from 9 October is at www.york.gov.uk/selfisolate

Applications for free peer-to-peer support programme are now open

Peer Networks is a free national peer-to-peer programme for SME leaders that want to grow and develop their organisation for future success.

The York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub are working in partnership with the University of York to create diverse groups of individuals who can collaboratively work through common business issues. Through interactive action learning, participants will be able to discuss their challenges, gain and reflect on valuable feedback, and implement practical solutions to overcome them.

To be eligible, businesses need to have operated for over a year, have five or more employees and an annual turnover of at least £100,000. The scheme will close to applications on 26 October 2020 and places are limited.

Find out more at: https://www.ynygrowthhub.com/resources/peer-networks-programme

Prime Minister’s Announcement: Skills and Training

The Prime Minister has set out plans to transform the training and skills system to help the country recover from coronavirus. The plans include a Lifetime Skills Guarantee to give adults the chance to take free college courses valued by employers and new entitlement to flexible loans to allow courses to be taken in segments, boosting opportunities to retrain.

This included an expansion of the Department for Education’s online learning platform, The Skills Toolkit. There are now more than 70 courses in digital, numeracy and employability or work-readiness available online and free of charge.

We are encouraging more learners to sign up to The Skills Toolkit, in order to help them build up their skills, progress in work and boost their job prospects.

Stay safe and up to date say York Council

As cases of Coronavirus continue to increase, City of York Council are encouraging residents and businesses to play their part to protect those we love and keep the places we enjoy open.

Stay up to date with York’s response to coronavirus through our upcoming Live Q&As, daily social media and latest government guidance updates.

As many volunteers have returned to work or education, we’re looking for 300 more to support York. We get a wide range of requests for volunteers to help with across the city.Sign up to volunteer so we can match you with suitable requests or needs.

Having friends or family to visit?

We’re asking residents to share their top tips for stopping the spread of Coronavirus when visitors come round. Whether it’s buying or making a fire pit so you can socialise outdoors, or putting kitchen roll in the bathroom so no one shares a hand towel – let us know how you keep people safe.

Current data shows us that social and household contacts and lack of social distancing is the main cause of spreading Coronavirus in York. It’s vital we don’t forget these stay-safe steps when visitors come to your home. Let’s protect those we love and remember ‘Hands, Face, Space’ whether you’re out and about or have visitors to your home.

Read the latest guidance on how to meet with others safely on the gov.uk website.

You can download our Let’s be safe posters and share the helpful reminder of ‘Hands, Face, Space’ in your neighbourhood from the council website.

Going out to eat or drink?

Following Government guidance, hospitality businesses are now required to:

Close at 10pm (not last orders)
Keep tables a safe distance apart or divided with protective screens
Refuse entry to groups of more than six
Require customer and staff to wear face covering, unless sat at their table
Either ask customers to scan the NHS QR code in their premises or record their contact details for the Track and Trace programme

Businesses in York have innovated and adapted to remain safe and welcoming for residents and visitors, but the threat of Coronavirus has not gone away and so we all need to continue to work together to protect our health, our economy and our city.

Read the latest government guidance introduced from 22 September on the gov.uk website.

Join our upcoming Live Q&As

Next week we have two Live Coronavirus Q&As where residents will be able to hear the latest city wide updates and ask their questions:

Coronavirus York 7th October 2020

Deaths and test results

66 (SIXTYSIX) additional positive test results were announced today. This brings the total number of cases to 1765

There have been no further hospital deaths

The most recent spike in case numbers in the City coincided with the opening of the additional test centre at Heslington last week.

The area with the largest number of positive test results (39) over the last 7 days has been the Heslington/University/Fulford neighbourhood.

This suggests that part of the reason for the surge may be the consequence of a large number of younger people being tested at Heslington. Unfortunately the authorities do not provide any demographic or tracing statistics at local authority level which would allow greater understanding of any such linkages

At the University of York, there are now 135 individuals self isolating due to a positive Covid-19 test That is up from 113 yesterday.

At York St John University there were 63 people with a positive test on Tuesday – up from 46 the day before.

The number of positive test results peaked at 80 on Friday 7th October. There were also 74 cases recorded on Sunday (4th October).

The peak, 7 day case numbers per 100,000 head of population, figure reached 192 on Sunday. That is the highest recorded since the pandemic started.

New payments for self isolating workers

Eligible residents who are required to self-isolate by the Government’s Test and Track scheme, will be eligible for one-off payments to support them through the 14-day quarantine period.

The new Test and Trace Support Payment scheme from the Government is for people on low incomes who are unable to work from home while they are self-isolating. This new scheme will also apply to eligible self-employed people who can prove they are unable to work while self-isolating. Information on how to apply for a self-isolation support payment is available at www.york.gov.uk/selfisolate. Application forms will be available at this link from 9 October.

Where earnings are affected by self-isolating, applicants may be entitled to some financial support; a one-off ‘Test and Trace Support Payment’ of £500. Anyone told to self-isolate by the NHS’s scheme must do so or face fines of up to £10,000, and the £500 payment must be returned.

Those eligible for a Test and Trace Support Payment will have been:

asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you’ve tested positive for coronavirus on or after 28 September, or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
in receipt of one or more benefits

Support may also be available for those who don’t meet the Government’s eligibility criteria. Details of our ‘discretionary scheme’ will be published as soon as possible at www.york.gov.uk/selfisolate.

We know that as well as health concerns, the coronavirus pandemic has given many people additional financial worries.

Meanwhile, for existing support from the Government, please find out about:

Additional information and support at the Money Advice Servicewhich has up to date information and guidance on the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic at moneyadviceservice.org.uk or on freephone 0800 138 7777
The benefits you might be eligible for, how to claim and how any benefits will be affected if your circumstances change at gov.uk/benefits-calculators

For help to claim any of the help above or for more advice on sources of support in the city, please go to www.york.gov.uk/BenefitsAdvice or call 01904 551556 who will be able to help or refer you to the most appropriate support.

Coronavirus York updates; 6th October 2020

Deaths and test results

First COVID death at York Hospital for several months announced today.

No further fatalities elsewhere in the City including care homes.

116 (ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN) additional cases announced today bringing total to 1699

Friday 2nd October now officially the worst day for new infections with a total of 71.

Sunday (4th) also saw 62 new cases.

Situation now worse than during spring with infection rates still rising.

Hardest hit neighbourhoods during last 7 days Heslington/University/Fulford, The Groves/Heworth South & Holgate East.

Government announcement on further restrictions expected imminently

46 students at York St John University are reported to be self isolating

Coronavirus York updates; 5th October 2020

Deaths and test results

A further 76 (SEVENTYSIX) positive test results in the City have been announced today. That takes the cumulative total to 1583

Although the figures still include some retrospective number changes, the vast majority of new cases were tested last week.

Thursday 1st October, with 62 new cases, was the highest single day figure seen since the beginning of the pandemic in January.

The scale of the second wave case numbers now significantly exceeds what was seen in April and May.

The first wave peaked on 8th May when the 7 day case numbers per 100,000 population figure was 80.24.

Last Fridays (2/10/20) equivalent figure was 143.87.

The government has admitted that the cases, which are only now appearing in the stats, hadn’t been passed on promptly to the test and trace service. However, the individuals concerned had been given their results and advised to self isolate. There may be implications for the infection rate over the next couple of weeks.

There have been no additional deaths at the hospital. According to media reports, there are currently 26 patients with COVID in York hospital. The number is slowly rising.

7.55 per cent of people tested in York get a positive result – higher than the national rate.

In the past 14 days 34 cases have been linked to care homes and 30 cases linked to schools.

The University of York currently has 72 active coronavirus cases – linked to household transmission rather than teaching groups. York St John had less than 25 cases at the end of last week.

The hardest hit neighbourhoods over the last 7 days have been Holgate East and Fulford/Heslington/University. For the first time there have been at least 3 cases in every York neighbourhood

Coronavirus York updates; 4th October 2020

Deaths and test results

There have been an additional ONE HUNDRED & NINE positive test results announced today bringing the cumulative total to 1507.

As revealed yesterday, the government web site admitted that it had not included all positive test results recorded over the last 10 days. It is now retrospectively adding in the figures to those previously announced.

The revised figures mean that, with 51 positive test results now announced, Monday 28th September had the highest number of new cases recorded since the pandemic started.

The second wave of cases is now increasing quicker than the rate we saw in the spring. However, there have been more tests carried out in recent weeks. and mass testing only started at the beginning of May.

Nevertheless there will be concerns that decisions taken in recent days, about the scale and nature of the response required, may have been based on incomplete and inaccurate data. It seems inevitable now that the restrictions on inter household contacts, introduced in parts of the North East a last week, will be extended to York.

There have been no additional hospital deaths

The worst affected neighbourhood during the last 7 days has been Poppleton/Rufforth/Askhams.

No additional information has been provided on the characteristics of the positive cases (and their contacts). Consequently the linkages between the cases are not widely understood.

There has been no update on hospital bed capacity and use.

Coronavirus York updates; 3rd October 2020

Deaths and test results

Late on Saturday evening the government issued a statement on their COVID monitoring web suite (click) which says ;

Due to a technical issue, which has now been resolved, there has been a delay in publishing a number of COVID-19 cases to the dashboard in England. This means the total reported over the coming days will include some additional cases from the period between 24 September and 1 October, increasing the number of cases reported.

This has affected the York figures. In total an additional FOURTYSIX positive test results were announced for the City today. This brings the cumulative total to 1398.

The tables below have been updated to reflect the new figures.

The 38 cases recorded on 28th September is the second highest single day figure this year (There were 50 cases on 29th April)

The incidence of cases per 100,000 population has reached 79.3 (which has been a figure which has resulted in other areas being added to the governments “watch list”).

There have been no additional hospital deaths

The worst affected neighbourhood during the last 7 days has been Clifton Without/Skelton

“

Coronavirus York updates; 2nd October 2020

Deaths and test results

There have been EIGHTEEN additional positive test results announced today bringing the cumulative total to 1352.

There have been no additional hospital deaths

The worst affected neighbourhoods over the last 7 days have been Clifton Without/Skelton and Poppleton/Rufforth/Askhams

Council commentary updated

The York Councils commentary on the crisis has been updated on the “open data” website

It is reproduced below (NB The clarity of the report has been improved this week but still lacks hospital capacity data)

The data is accurate as at 8.00 a.m. on Friday 2.10.20. Some narrative for the data covering the latest period is provided here below:

People with Covid Symptoms

• NHS Pathways /111 triages – as at 28.9.20 there had been 433 total covid triages in the CYC area in the last 7 days. The numbers have just started to fall in the last few days after a very steep rise over the previous 2-3 weeks with a peak of 653 triages in the 7 day period to 20.9.20.

• As at 1.10.20, the Covid Symptom App estimates 483.9 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 5,302 people). This represents the second daily fall in the prevalence estimate after a month where the figures rose each day.

Diagnosed cases (Pillar 1&2 combined)

• As at 1.10.20 York has had 1,334 cases, a rate of 633.4 per 100,000 of population. The rate in York is lower than national (699.9) and regional (925.9) averages.

• The provisional rate for the last seven days of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population in York as at 29.9.20 is 62.20. The latest local “validated” 7 day rate at 25.9.20 was 57.6. The national and regional averages at this date were 59.6 and 84.1 respectively

• As at 28.9.20, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 only) was 5.21% (161 positives out of 3,092 tests). The national and regional averages are 4.4 % and 6.0% respectively. The number of Pillar 2 tests being carried out in York is increasing.

Contact Tracing

• Since 28.5.20 a total of 475 laboratory confirmed CYC Covid cases have been uploaded into the NHS Test and Trace system and 377 of the cases have been engaged. 1,295 ‘contacts’ have been identified and 842 of these have been traced.

Deaths

• ONS weekly data: For deaths occurring up to 18th September 2020 and registered up to 26th September 2020, 172 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (83 in hospital, 77 in care homes, 9 at home and 3 in a hospice. The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 81.66 which is lower than the national average of 88.74. The most recent death reported for a York resident was in week 38 (12 to 18 September).

• ‘Excess’ deaths (ONS). In week 38 (12 Sept to 18 Sept), 25 deaths occurred in York, which is 5 fewer than the average weekly number for 2014-18. Over the last 17 weeks the total number of deaths in York has been 47 fewer than the average for the equivalent weeks in 2014-18.

• Local Registrar data: In the weekly data received on 28.9.20 (for deaths occurring up to 23.9.20), a cumulative total of 163 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 82.5, with an age range of 53-104. The age profile of those dying in York is slightly older than the national average. 87 of the 163 were male (53.4%), slightly less than the national average (55.1%). 81 of the deaths occurred in hospital and 82 were community deaths (e.g. at home or in a care home or hospice). 71 people (43.6%) died in nursing /care homes (the national average is 29.49%). In addition 13 people (8%) who normally resided in nursing/care homes in the CYC area, died in hospital.

• Deaths at York Hospital: As at 1.10.20, 134 deaths of people who had tested positive for COVID-19 and were being cared for at York Hospital have been reported. 214 deaths have been reported by the wider York NHS Trust.

New testing site

The Council and government have issued the following media release.

A new walk-through coronavirus testing facility is to open for those with symptoms to book appointments at Wentworth Way Car Park, the University of York, in York.

This is as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to continue to improve the accessibility of coronavirus testing for local communities.

Testing is available only for those with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste. Anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. From the start of the pandemic, testing has been prioritised for the most vulnerable, including patients in clinical settings and care home residents, vital health and care staff and to manage outbreaks.

The new site is situated so as to be easily accessible without a car. Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.

Anyone attending an appointment at a walk-through testing will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the test site safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

Testing at the new site has started, with appointments made available each day.

The site is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history, which now comprises 76 drive-through sites, 133 walk-through sites, 258 mobile units, home testing and satellite kits and five mega laboratories.

Anyone testing positive for the virus in England will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to help them track their contacts. This will help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with, protecting others from further transmission.

Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from NHS Test and Trace, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book at test if they develop symptoms.

There follows a series of quotes from the great, the good and the not so good!

Coronavirus York updates; 1st October 2020

Deaths and test results

TWENTYFIVE additional positive test results announced today. That brings the cumulative total to 1334.

The 33 cases recorded on Monday 28th September where the third highest for a single day (29th April – 50 cases, 5th May – 35 cases).

The rolling 7 day incidence per 100,000 population figure reached 65 this week.

There have been no further hospital deaths

The worst affected neighbourhoods have been Clifton Without/Skelton & Fulford/Heslington/University

Coronavirus York updates; 30th September 2020

Deaths and test results

It looks like York is heading for a new lockdown following the announcement today of 35 new positive test results. That brings the cumulative total number of cases to 1309.

The figures mean that we are now seeing over 50 cases per 100,000 head of population each week. This is the intervention level set by the government after which additional restrictions are implemented.

The most likely restrictions will be similar to those imposed in West Yorkshire. There, contact is banned between people from different households.

There have been no additional hospital deaths announced today

The worst affected neighbourhoods in York are Bishopthorpe/Copmanthorpe and Clifton Without/Skelton

Lots of questions to be answered

UPDATE; The urgent control board meeting has taken place it can be viewed on line via the Council web site (click below)

One or two pieces of new information did emerge at the meeting. There are now 10 beds occupied at the York hospital by COVID patients. This is still many fewer than the numbers seen in May but is gradually increasing.

Although probably not a surprise to many, the demographics of the second wave suggest that it is under 30’s who are most affected

Although there have been many successful test and trace results in the City the authorities are clearly unhappy with the overall performance of the testing processes.

The meeting was told

The last national seven day rate showed that as of 27 September York has 46 cases per 100,000 population, which on average is 14 new cases every day. There is usually a time lag in what is reported nationally and we will soon show a rate of 52. The national and regional averages are 49.7 and 70.3 respectively.
The latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 only) was 3.61%. The national and regional averages are 3.8% and 4.6% respectively.
In the two weeks up until 21 September, almost every area in York had positive COVID cases reported. No area has had over ten cases in the period of a week, which shows that transmission isn’t confined to particular parts of the city.

EARLIER The Councils COVID management board meets later today. Little update information has been issued in advance of the meeting (click)

We know that the number of cases in the City is rising rapidly. Fatalities are also now occurring again. Such information is in the public domain courtesy only of central government web sites.

Analyses of the situation in York is anecdotal at the best

The Public Health Officer uses Facebook to say that most infections occur because of home visits by family and friends. Public contact is less of an issue apparently.

But no figures are offered to back up this assertion.

How many, when, where? All are key questions on the lips of residents.

We only know that there have been 2 recent COVID deaths in care homes. No further details have been provided

“Sources” at St Johns University say that over a dozen students have symptoms. York University says that case number are low. Both institutions say they have difficulty getting tests completed. So, do they really know the scale of their problems?

We now know that a drop in testing centre for York University students will open tomorrow in a segregated and managed area in the Wentworth Way car park. The facility will open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, on an appointment-only basis from tomorrow (Thursday). Tests can be booked using the NHS Covid-19 App, the NHS website or by telephoning 119.

The position for permanent York residents remains unclear.

We were promised another drop-in test centre. We do not know when, where or even if, it will open? Nor do we know what its capacity will be.

Where are the weekly test and trace numbers for York? What is the backlog in requests for tests. How quickly are results produced?

The Council apparently has access to the data but doesn’t publish it on its “Open Data” web site. Officials say they have the go ahead for a local test and trace process. That has been promised for 3 months now and seems to be no nearer to producing verifiable results at neighbourhood level.

Then there is hospital management.

They are not listed on the Outbreak board agenda to be reporting to today’s meeting. Yet the ability of the hospital to deal with the second wave of cases is a key concern for residents. How many admissions? How many beds occupied? How many in ICU? How many discharges? What spare capacity is available?

Where is the independent challenge to the secrecy culture?

The executive member, with responsibility for Health issues, has a subterranean profile. There is no campaign for openness from that quarter. The last decision session on health and social care was held on 13^th February.

The last Health and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee meeting was held on 18^th February. That is the body which should challenge and question on health concerns.

A management meeting earlier this week promised that scrutiny committees would shortly start operating again. The health committee has a lot of ground to make up

The Health and Wellbeing Board last met on 30^th July. It has no further meetings scheduled.

So, all York residents have available are the occasional anodyne “on line” Q & A session involving self styled “leaders”. Yesterday’s Facebook session was typical. It produced nothing new and was distracted by discussion of the so called “devolution” deals being offered to North Yorkshire.

It increasingly appears that the Councils aim is not to “inform” but to “direct”.

Anyone doubting that should look at the one presentation which has been released in advance of today’s meeting. The public relations plan (click) is all about what others should do. It fails to answer the obvious question.

What do residents want to know?

Monk Bar car park taxi shuttle service

The Council will continue the Monk Bar car park taxi shuttle service for the disabled until the new year. The decision was taken “behind closed doors” by a Council official.

Most of the spaces reserved for the disabled at Monk Bar car park have not been used

While the basic principle of the service has been broadly welcomed, critics have blasted the large number (40) of spaces coned off for the service. This has put pressure on the rest of the car park. Anecdotally it appears that no more than seven spaces have been occupied by disabled drivers at any one time.

No analysis of the demand for space was published before the decision was made. Neither have any details of the number of passengers using the shuttle service been revealed.

The service is costing taxpayers £354 a day in subsidies.

Ambulances in bus lanes

In a less controversial decision, the Council has agreed that liveried ambulances may use bus lanes in future even if they not responding to an emergency call.

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