Coronavirus York updates; 9th March 2021

Deaths

Two hospital deaths reported today. One occurred on Sunday. The other occurred on 11th February and is a delayed report.

Updated ONS figures (left) show that there were 6 deaths of York residents from COVID-19 during the week ending 26th February.

This compared to 18 recorded during the previous week.

Three of the fatalities occurred at hospital, two at care homes and one at a hospice.

Test results

Eighteen new positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 11,997.

There are 96 cases in York today, the same as yesterday

The rate /100k population is stable at 45.48 but is expected to creep up towards 50 over the next few days.

Neighbourhoods

Little change today at neighbourhood level.

Only two areas are now above 100 case rate benchmark

Vaccinations

NHS text alerts for life-saving Covid jab

The NHS will begin texting people today inviting them to book their life saving Covid jab, making it quicker and more convenient to get an appointment.

Almost 400,000 people aged 55 and over and 40,000 unpaid carers will be the first to get a text alert inviting them to book a slot as part of the latest development in the NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in NHS history.

The messages will include a web link for those eligible to click and reserve an appointment at one of more than 300 large-scale vaccination centres or pharmacies across England.

Reminders will be sent 2-3 weeks after the original alert to encourage people to get their vaccine if they have not taken up the offer.

Texts will arrive in advance of the standard letter, meaning if the trial is successful the solution could enable the NHS to react faster to changing vaccine supplies and fill appointments quickly.

Some GP-led and hospital vaccination services, which operate their own booking systems, are already using texts for invites.

Introducing them to the national booking service for vaccine centres and pharmacy-led services will help increase uptake of the life-saving jab, particularly as the NHS moves on to younger groups.

Over the weekend and yesterday more than 1.7 million people aged 56 and over were invited to book their vaccine, as the biggest programme in health service history, continues to gather pace. Saturday was the busiest day for the booking service with more than half a million appointments confirmed. Almost nine out of 10 people aged 65 and over already taking up the offer of their first dose.

People will continue to receive letters inviting them to book an appointment as well as a text alert, to ensure that people who don’t have a number registered or need information in different languages or formats don’t miss out.

People should not receive a text message or a letter from the NHS if they have already been vaccinated and this has been recorded. If people cannot or would prefer not to travel to a Vaccination Centre or pharmacy-led site, they can choose to wait to be invited by a local GP-led service.

In some cases text messages have been used by scammers to try to collect personal details from people, get them to ring premium rate numbers or enter their banking details.

The text message will be sent using the Government’s secure Notify service and will show as being sent from ‘NHSvaccine’.

The NHS will never ask for payment or banking details.

Hospitals

York Hospital Trust is treating 54 confirmed and suspected Covid-19 inpatients, which compares with 50 yesterday. Six patients are in intensive care, the same number as yesterday, and a total of 2,038 patients have been discharged

Tests

4048 PCR test were conducted during the week ending 4th March 2021.

Of these 2.0% were positive. That represents an improvement on the previous days figure of 2.1%

3651 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 8th March

COVID marshalls

Support marshalls contribute to falling infection rates

Marshalls support falling infection rates. — Marshalls’ achievements in numbers.

As part of the city’s efforts to lower infection rates, York’s support marshalls have advised over 1,000 groups, removed over 1,000 dropped masks and achieved a near 100% satisfaction rate.

The team of six covid support marshalls is funded by recovery funds, which Executive will be asked to extend from the end of March for a further six months, to help support the city as lockdown restrictions gradually lift.

The team’s proactive and well-received approach includes monitoring areas where people gather, engaging with groups and individuals to remind them of social distancing, and supporting businesses. The marshalls also hygienically dispose of dropped face coverings which could pass on the virus and hand out masks and anti-bacterial gel where needed.

Working with North Yorkshire Police and the York BID rangers, the city’s covid support marshalls have also been able to alert and advise on matters of public safety.

To date, the marshalls have:

advised 1,100 groups of people
supported 775 businesses
handed out PPE to 161 people
picked up 1,062 dropped masks
earned a 98.8% satisfaction rating from people with whom they’ve worked

Coronavirus York updates; 13th January 2021

Deaths

FIVE (5) more Coronavirus deaths were announced by the York Hospital Trust today. One occurred yesterday, three on Monday and one on Sunday.

The death toll on 10th January, at eight, is the joint highest single day figure seen since the spring.

Test results

TWO HUNDRED (200) additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative figure up to 9593.

The rate /100k population has now peaked at 670.91. It is expected to trend back down to around 600 by the end of the week.

During the week ending 8th January case numbers increased at all levels. York remains above the national average.

However, the rate of increase in case numbers in the City has slowed over the last week.

There is a reasonable expectation that case numbers will now start to fall.

Neighbourhoods

The 1413 cases total (w/e 8th Jan) was the highest total recorded in the City

The western suburbs continued to be badly affected.

Vaccinations

As at 12th January 2,639,309 people in England had received first dose COVID vaccinations.

York figures have not yet been published (but understood to be over 10,000)

Test site to remain open

We understand that the mobile test site, currently occupying the Acorn Rugby Club Car Park on Thanet Road, will remain open for another week (except Friday) . Organisers say that over 1000 test have been carried out at teh site over the last week.

Details here https://www.facebook.com/FoxwoodResidentsAssociation/posts/4347088398651076

York Wheels Community Transport

York Wheels have written to local Councillors giving the following information

“Here at York wheel we run 2 services with the support of York City Council.

York Wheel – Volunteer car scheme community transport – for a small fee we take customers to hospital/dentist/podiatry appoints and are currently working with Nimbus (Askham Bar COVID centre) to assist in the transport of the elderly to the facility to enable ALL to have their COVID injection. A small charge is made to cover the drivers fuel (approx. 50% less than a taxi)
Dial & Ride – Mini bus service which takes customers to the main supermarkets – enabling them to keep their independence and to travel is groups of 6 safely to the supermarkets – the cost if £3.30 return of they hold a York City Bus Pass.

The customer must be eligible to travel on the above schemes and this entails been a York residence, been elderly, disabled or unable to travel on public transport for both schemes. The mini buses are also fitted to enable wheelchair users to access the vehicles whilst still in their wheelchairs.

Usually we are open for other appointments but during COVID times we are currently only carry out necessary journeys under government rules. Finally due to the current situation we are a cashless office and at the time of booking the car scheme customers pay in advance via card. On the mini bus service they are able to use card for payment of the journey as each bus carries their own card machine.

Please feel free to pass our details to your constituents and local GPs etc. and we will assist were possible.

For the car scheme York Wheels call 01904 630080
For Dial & Ride please call 01904 551441

The charity has been working to help the residents of York for over 35 years and all our drivers are DRS checked and carry out thorough PPE both during and after journeys”.

Support key workers by following the rules say authorities

This Thursday (14 January), many across the country will join in the ‘Clap for Heroes’ at 8pm to celebrate the hard work of those on the front line.

This week, council leaders are asking residents in York to show their continued support and respect of our key workers by following public health guidance and helping ease the pressure on the NHS.

Over the last month, coronavirus cases in York have increased significantly, and residents are being asked to stay local, stay at home as much as possible, and help stop the spread of the virus. The latest validated rate of new Covid cases at 7 January was 637.6 per 100,000, above the regional average of 322.8 and the national average of 629.9.

Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:

We have all been incredibly grateful to key workers for their amazing efforts, not just this lockdown, but throughout much of 2020. With case numbers continuing to rise, it is now more important than ever that we all do everything we can to stop the spread and keep each other safe.

“I remain ever thankful for the hard work and sacrifices made by our key workers and I know that many residents will agree that the best way to truly demonstrate our thanks is to make sure that we avoid making their jobs even harder at this difficult time.”

“We know lockdown has been incredibly difficult for many, and I would urge anyone that needs support to get in touch with the Council Covid support team by covid19help@york.gov.uk or calling 01904 551550.”

Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health, said:

the best thing any of us can do to support our key workers is to follow the guidance and stay at home. Last year the ‘Clap for Carers’ campaign was a great demonstration of the gratitude we all feel for those working on the front line.

“People working in a huge range of sectors have worked hard to make sure we can all continue to stay home to stay safe and therefore, we must not make their jobs any more difficult at this point by not following the latest national guidance. So I would encourage everyone not to leave their homes, unless it’s essential and remember to wash our hands, wear a face mask and keep a safe distance from others.

Wendy Scott, Chief Operating Officer for York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said:

the number of Covid-positive patients being admitted, and the rapid rise in number of cases, means that our hospitals are under growing pressure. The number of Covid-positive patients in hospital is now significantly higher than the number we experienced in the first wave.

“Our staff are doing an outstanding job responding to the pandemic; however it is absolutely vital that we all play a part in reducing the spread of the virus by complying with the lockdown restrictions and by following the health guidance of Hands, Face, Space.

“The emergency departments in both of our hospitals are also extremely busy. Please help us to help you by only using A&E for emergencies that are life or limb-threatening. If you are unsure about what to do, please consult NHS 111 first (by phone or online) to help you get the right service.”

Covid marshalls continue supporting city to be safe in lockdown

To continue supporting covid safety measures during lockdown, the council’s covid support marshalls are working in outlying areas to advise businesses and residents in lockdown.

Following the Government’s announcement for England to go into lockdown, the marshalls are helping to encourage people not to mix but to stay in household or bubble groups while keeping 2 metres distance. They are now adding new areas of the city to their rounds to lend their support, such as at popular walking spots, supermarkets and testing sites.

The marshalls will visit outlying shopping areas to add to the 525 city centre businesses they’ve already helped to implement and maintain covid-safe measures. This work builds on action begun by the council’s Environmental Health and Licensing teams. It includes helping shops and takeaways to manage queues, to display Trace and Test QR codes and to maintain hand sanitation stations.

The team has already advised 410 groups of people in the city centre. This included asking them to keep two metres apart and if they’re from the same household, to giving out 105 items of PPE including hand sanitiser, masks and information.

The marshalls have also been picking up dropped face masks which can present a health hazard. So far they’ve picked up and safely disposed of 510 face masks.

Councillor Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning, said:

“The marshalls’ work continues to be invaluable in ensuring that social distancing and face-coverings continue to be observed within businesses currently allowed to open.

“It is vital that people feel confident that others around them are following the necessary steps to reduce the spread of Covid-19.”

Councillor Denise Craghill, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, said:

“It is crucial now that we all do everything we can to minimise our contact with others, in order to save lives and protect the NHS, and our marshalls are supporting the city do just that.

Coronavirus York updates; 19th December 2020

Deaths and test results

FIVE additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today. Three of these occurred yesterday.

FIFTY (50) additional positive test results have been announced today. That takes the cumulative total to 6070. Some of the positive results have been backdated to November. However 44 positive results were recorded on 15th December – a monthly high.

The rate/100k population has now risen to 69.8. It is expected to rise to 84.0 tomorrow.

The City’s case rate – although now increasing – remains below the county, regional and national averages.

Two neighbourhoods are showing fewer than 3 cases in each today. They are Clifton North and New Earswick

The case rate in Poppleton, Rufforth & the Askhams has jumped to 188.3.

New restrictions imposed – Christmas affected

New tier 4 lockdown restrictions have been imposed on the South East of England.

People should not travel into a tier four area, though support bubbles remain unaffected as do the exemptions for separated parents and their children.

For those in tiers one, two and three, rules allowing up to three households to meet will now be limited to Christmas Day only.

Christmas bubbles for those in tiers one to three will not be able include anyone in tier four.

In tier four, people should not mix with anyone outside their own household, apart from support bubbles.

New covid marshalls start to help protect people and places

Let's be York; safe, welcoming, considerate New covid support marshalls are supporting the city’s residents, visitors and businesses to maintain covid guidelines and protect the people and places we love.

The new officers will provide advice and help to businesses and people. They will be reminding restauranteurs or licensees about covid guidelines, advising shoppers about face coverings, challenging group sizes or supporting covid-safe queuing to enter busy premises or at bus stops and taxi ranks.

The marshalls will also help discourage people from gathering, including at New Year’s Eve when people will be asked to celebrate at home and not linger in town after closing time. They will also be visiting outlying centres of York too, to help local communities and businesses follow the regulations.

Sharon Stoltz, director of public health at City of York Council, said:

“Helping people stay safe has a direct impact on keeping the places we love open.

“These new officers will play a valuable role in supporting us all to socially distance and to support businesses by signposting them to sources of advice on covid infection control measures, licensing, grants and other matters.”

All our marshalls will carry City of York Council identification and will never ask for money.

Anyone wishing to report concerns about how the covid regulations are being observed should email public.protection@york.gov.uk.

Book essential food and prescriptions now!

With shopping queues building, online slots being booked and bank holidays approaching, residents are reminded to order essential groceries and prescriptions ahead of festive season.

We have sent residents who are clinically extremely vulnerable, details of the link to LiveWellYork website’s list of local food delivers. This was compiled and shared during the first lockdown to support those shielding or self-isolating and is at: www.livewellyork.co.uk/s4s/WhereILive/Council?pageId=5223

Anyone who has repeat prescriptions are asked to check their medication. If they need more to see them through to the new year, please contact their GP.

Cllr Darryl Smalley, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities, said:

We don’t want anyone to find themselves without food or essential medicine over the festive season. So please plan ahead and use the brilliant support networks so many residents have found invaluable over the summer.

“Support for people who urgently need some extra help is still there, but we hope everyone can relax into Christmas and the New Year knowing that they have the essentials they need in advance.”

Dr Nigel Wells, NHS Vale of York CCG Clinical Chair, said:

The lead-up to Christmas can be a busy time for the NHS and local health services, so those on repeat prescriptions are advised to order them well in advance so they can enjoy the festive season in good health.

“Having a medicine cabinet at home with some simple over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol, ibuprofen, and anti-diarrhoea tablets is also recommended so you can treat any common illnesses or ailments yourself, without needing to see a GP.

“Many winter illnesses are self-limiting, which means they will clear up on their own so they can be treated at home using over-the-counter products from your local pharmacy.”
In an emergency or if you don’t have any other support, please email covid19help@york.gov.uk or call 01904 551550.

Symptom-free testing expanded

After the successful launch of targeted symptom-free testing in the city this week the council is now expanding its offer to those who support those who are most at risk from Coronavirus.

Since opening the service on Monday to those who work in retail, leisure and transport hundreds of bookings have been made and the council is thanking those who have been tested so far as part of the city’s efforts to slow the spread.

Those who work with, live with or support those most at risk from Coronavirus are now being invited to book their free tests.

Councillor Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Social Care and Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board visited the testing site to thank staff for their efforts.

Around one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and will be spreading it without realising it. The rapid-turnaround lateral flow tests, which provide results within 1 hour, will be used to proactively test asymptomatic individuals. This will further support the local effort to drive down the city’s infection rate.

Symptom-free tests are available to book online by visiting the council website.

Individuals who can’t access booking online can call 01904 551 559 to arrange an appointment. The booking line is open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Anyone who has Coronavirus symptoms should not book a symptom free test. They should self-isolate at home, and book a Covid test through the NHS website or calling 119.

The Council is jointly working with York St John University to use Foss Sports Hall on the university’s Lord Mayor’s Walk Campus for the symptom free testing. The facility was used for their successful testing programme before students returned home for the holiday period.