Coronavirus York updates; 14th July 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

Test results

192 positive test results today. That is the highest single day total found since the January peak. The cumulative total is now 15,575

The number of cases in the City has increased from 871 to 878

The rate /100k population is now 412.14 but it is trending to reach at least 436 over the weekend.

Infection rates are starting to trend upwards again

Neighbourhoods

Vaccinations

596 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Tuesday). That is the lowest figure for over two months.

A particularly stupid example of vandalism. One of the direction signs for the Askham Bar vaccination centre has been obscured with paint. It could make access more difficult for people who may later owe their lives to a successful vaccination.

People can make their own decisions about whether to get a jab. Society in general will benefit from the highest possible levels of immunity

Damaged direction sign to the vax. centre on Tadcaster Road. Fortunately there is another sign further along the road.

Tests

  • 8323 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 9th July 2021.
  • Of these, 10.8% were positive. That is higher than the 10.7% positivity rate found during the previous period.
  • 2222 “lateral flow” tests were also completed on 13th July 2021

Coronavirus York updates; 13th July 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

The latest government figures covering the period up to 2nd July, confirm that there have been no further York resident deaths in any setting. The cumulative COVID fatalities total remains at 379

Test results

127 positive test results today. Brings cumulative total up to 15,383.

The number of cases in the City has reduced from 876 to 871

The rate /100k population falls to 413.56. the upward trend has leveled off.

Neighbourhoods

15 of York’s 24 neighbourhoods are now recording very high coronavirus case levels.

Some areas are seeing their highest ever infection rates – exceeding both the autumn and winter peaks.

Vaccinations

738 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Monday).

The vaccination rate in York has slowed during recent days

Tests

  • 8268 PCR test were conducted during the week ending 8th July 2021.
  • Of these 10.8% were positive. That is the highest positivity rate recorded during the present surge in case numbers in the City
  • In addition, 3154 “lateral flow” test were conducted on 12th July

Coronavirus York updates; 12th July 2021

Stop Press

The media are reporting that Fulford school is closing because of a very high level of COVID infections and contacts.

There are 107 cases among York school pupils

York hospital and primary care is under “immense pressure,” says public health director Sharon Stoltz at a York Council meeting this evening. She says healthcare staff are demoralised and worried about another wave. “Many are off work with COVID, self-isolating, caring for children who are self isolating or off sick with mental health problems”

Change to government policy for relaxations on 19th July

The guidance for vulnerable people has been updated (click link)

Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The government is changing its stance on the removal of restrictions on 19th July.

  • After July 19 businesses and large events will be “supported and encouraged to use certification in high risk settings to help limit the spread of infections in their venues”. Certification will involve asking attendees to prove their vaccination status by showing the NHS app; showing a NHS text or email proving they have had a recent negative lateral flow test in the past 48 hours; or showing a positive PCR test within the last six months suggesting they will have immunity from the virus.
  • New guidance will also be issued for people who are clinically vulnerablewhich will encourage them to meet others outside and to check the vaccination status of their social contacts. 
  • the Government will “recommend” that people in England continue to wear face coverings in crowded areas, such as on public transport. It is understood the guidance will apply to indoor settings that are less likely to be ventilated and where people are likely to come across others with whom they do not normally mix.
  • Under updated guidance, the instruction to “work from home” will be lifted on July 19, but businesses will be told to avoid allowing all staff to return at once, “We expect and recommend a gradual return to the workplace over the summer.”

Hospital patient numbers and deaths

Hospital patients numbers edging up. Now two in intensive care.

Test results

130 new positive test results today. Brings cumulative total up to 15,126

The number of cases in the City has risen from 854 to 876

The rate /100k population has increased to 415.94.

The infection rate has leveled off but is not yet showing any signs of a sustained fall

The infection rate in York has now fallen below the regional average. It remains above the national average

Neighbourhoods

The Heslington/University neighbourhood is no longer in the above 400 infection rate banding.

11 neighbourhoods now have very high infection levels

Vaccinations

606 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Sunday)

A significant milestone was passed, with more than 60% of York residents now having received both their first and second doses.

Tests

  • 8238 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 7th July 2021.
  • Of these, 10.6% were positive. That is more tha the 10.4% found during the previous period.
  • 3335 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 11th July 2021

Coronavirus York updates; 9th July 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

One additional hospital patient reported today

Test results

128 positive test results today, Brings the cumulative total up to 14,913.

The number of cases in the City has reduced from 872 to 865

The rate /100k population falls to 410.71. The rate is on course to stablise at around 400 over the next few days.

Some of the slides used at a Council meeting which took place on Wednesday have now been published, They include some interesting information about the spread of infections. The following graph confirms that the majority of cases are connected with groups still in education.

Neighbourhoods

Infection rates continue to fall at Heslington/University. It no longer has the highest rate in the City. The highest infection rate can now be found in Tang Hall

Both Tang Hall and Fulford Road/Clementhorpe are now experiencing the highest number of COVID cases recorded since the pandemic began in early 2020

The Council have published information on how vaccination levels vary for different age groups/occupations

Figures released on Wednesday suggest that there is some SPARE CAPACITY in the vaccination programme

Vaccinations

1296 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Thursday)

Tests

  • 8235 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 4th July 2021
  • Of these, 10.3% were positive. That represents a reduction on the 10.5% positivity found during the previous period.
  • 2669 “lateral flow” tests were also completed on 8th July 2021

Council commentary updates

The data is accurate as at 8.00 a.m. on Friday 09.07.21. Some narrative for the data covering the latest period is provided here below:

People with Covid Symptoms

• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 6.7.21 there had been 71 total covid telephony triages in the CYC area in the last 7 days. The peak number of triages was 192 in the 7 day period to 22.9.20.

• As at 8.7.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 723 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 3,807 people). The peak rate was 1,283 on 7.1.21.

Diagnosed cases

• As at 8.7.21 York has had 14,785 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 7,020 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (7,750) and regional (8,291) 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 number of new cases is worsening. The latest rating for York (5.7.21) is Red.

• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 30.6.21 to 6.7.21 in York is 398.4 (839 cases). (Using data published on Gov.uk on 8.7.21).

• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 27.6.21 to 3.7.21 in York was 414 (872 cases). The national and regional averages at this date were 263.9 and 333.2 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 8.7.21).

• York is currently ranked 119th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in England with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.

• For the 7 day period 26.6.21.to 2.7.21, the number of cases in each ward varied from 3 to141 and rates varied from 72.3 to 929.7 per 100,000.

• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 27.6.21 to 3.7.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 62.5 (31 cases). The national and regional averages were 47.3 and 56.3 respectively.

• As at 6.7.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 13.67%. The national and regional averages are 10.2% and 13.5% respectively.

• As at 6.7.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 1.27%. The national and regional averages are 1.0% and 1.4% respectively.

• As at 6.7.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 tests only) was 1.0%. The national average is 1.1%.

• As at 2.7.21 York University reported 240 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 28.6.21 York St. John reported 4 individuals within the University community who were currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. The peak number was 82 on the 8.10.20.

Contact Tracing

• Local Contact Tracing. Between 10.3.21 and 2.7.21, 1,239 referrals had been actioned by the local contact tracing service. Of the referrals actioned, 1,158 (93.5%) were successful and 81 (6.5%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible. (NB on the 10.3.21 the local CYC team became responsible for contacting all cases rather than just those that the national team could not contact).

Cases in Residential Care Settings

• As at 7.7.21 there were 3 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 of either a staff member or resident) in a residential care setting in York were reported by PHE on 2.7.21 (1 home).

Cases amongst School Aged Children

• In the 7 days up to 5.7.21 there were 107 children of primary or secondary school age who tested positive (across 34 different schools).

COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital

• As at 7.7.21 there were 15 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General/Acute beds. The previous figure was 5 on 29.6.21. The peak number was 157 on 19.1.21.

• As at 7.7.21 there was 1 confirmed Covid-19 patient and 0 suspected Covid-19 patients in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The previous figures were 1 and 0 on 29.6.21. The peak number for people in ITU was 19 on 10.5.20.

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 2.7.21 was estimated to be in the range 1.2 to 1.4. The previous estimate was (1.2 to 1.5) on 25.6.21.

Variants of Concern

• In the latest month for which data is available, 816 cases in York (with a specimen date between 5th June 2021 and 4th July 2021) had been processed in a laboratory which is able to carry out the required sequencing in order to identify Variants of Concern (VOC) or Variants under Investigation (VUI). Of these, there had been 802 cases (genomically confirmed or provisional genotyping) of the Delta Variant of Concern (VOC-21APR-02) which was first identified in India.

Total Vaccinations

• As at 7.7.21 a total of 143,963 CYC residents have had the first dose of the vaccine. This represents 82.5% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.

• As at 7.7.21 a total of 100,904 CYC residents have had both doses of the vaccine. This represents 57.9% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.

• Source: PHE Covid-19 Situational Awareness Explorer

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 provides a breakdown by age and gender. For both data sources a death from Covid-19 is said to have occurred when Covid-19 has been recorded on the death certificate. The most recently available data is summarised below:

• ONS Weekly data: In the most recent period (Week 25: 19.6.21 to 25.6.21) 0 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents. There has been one recorded covid death between week 18 and week 25.

• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 18th June 2021 and registered up to 26th June 2021, 397 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (228 in hospital, 136 in care homes, 25 at home/elsewhere and 8 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 188.49 which is lower than the national average of 232.76

• Age / Gender breakdown (using registrar data): The average age of the CYC residents who died was 82.1, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of the CYC residents who have died is older than the national average (79.6% were aged 75+ compared with 72.9% nationally). 47.7% of the CYC residents who died were male. The national average is 54.4%.

Coronavirus York updates; 8th July 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

According to updated government figures, there were no deaths of York residents in any setting in the City during the week ending 25th June 2021. The cumulative death toll remains at 379.

Test results

143 positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total up to 14,785.

The number of cases in the City has risen from 850 to 872. This is the largest case number recorded since 16th January 2021

The rate /100k population has crept up to 414.04. There are hopes that the rate may fall below 400 over the weekend.

Neighbourhoods

Case numbers are continuing to decline in the Heslington/University neighbourhood

Vaccinations

1279 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Wednesday)

Tests

  • 8243 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 3rd July 2021.
  • Of these, 10.5% were positive. That is the same positivity rate as was also found during the previous period.
  • 3401 “lateral flow” tests were also undertaken on 7th July 2021

Coronavirus York updates; 7th July 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

Test Results

143 positive tests results announced today. That is the largest figure for several days. They bring the cumulative total up to 14,642.

The number of cases in the City has fallen from 867 to 850. It is likely to rise to a new peak high tomorrow (Thursday)

The rate /100k population has fallen slightly to 403.59. It is expected to remain at around 410 for the next few days

Neighbourhoods

Small reduction in case numbers at the University/Heslington and in Tang Hall today

Vaccinations

Another milestone today as we now have over 100,000 citizens who have had two doses of vaccine

Tests

  • During the week ending 2nd July 2021, 8014 PCR tests were conducted.
  • Of these, 10.5% were positive. This represents a reduction on the 10.8% positivity rate found during the previous period.
  • 2286 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 6th July 2021

Coronavirus York updates; 6th July 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

York Hospital Trust COVID patient numbers double

Test results

96 new positive test results today. Brings the cumulative total up to 14,499.

The number of cases in the City has risen from 852 to 867

The rate /100k population has risen to 411.66. The rate is expected to remain at around that level over then next few days

Neighbourhoods

According to a report to a meeting taking place tomorrow (see below) as many as 525 students at the University of York are now self isolating. The report goes on to say ” Generally the drivers behind this rise in infections appears to be increasing social activity – inline with the stage three unlocking since May”

Vaccinations

1636 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Monday)

Tests

  • 7817 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 1st July 2021
  • Of these, 10.8% were positive. That is the same proportion as were found during the previous period.
  • In addition 3145 “lateral flow” tests were competed on 5th July 2021

Outbreak Management Board

Some interesting – and sobering – reports being discussed tomorrow. Made more relevant by pending government decisions on face coverings, social distancing, the reopening of offices etc.

Agenda

City of York Outbreak Management Advisory Board – Wednesday, 7 July 2021 5.30 pm

  1. Declarations of Interest
  2. Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 June 2021  PDF 138 KB
  3. Current Situation in York – Presentation
  4. Covid-19 Epidemiological Look Forward  PDF 628 KB
  5. Update on the Vaccination Programme  PDF 538 KB

Including:

  • Vaccine Take Up
  • Access to Vaccines and Addressing Vaccine Inequality.

Additional documents:

  1. Covid-19 Testing Strategy – Verbal Item
  2. Communications Update  PDF 2 MB
  3. Update from Sub-Group: Universities and Higher Education establishments  PDF 400 KB
  4. Items for Next Agenda
  5. Dates of Future Meetings
  6. Any Other Business

Coronavirus York updates; 5th July 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

Test results

126 new cases today brings the cumulative total up to 14,403

The number of cases in the City has increased from 808 to 852

The rate /100k population (404.54) has risen to over 400 for the first time since 17th January 2021. The level looks likely to be fairly stable over the next few days.

Neighbourhoods

Vaccinations

1126 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Sunday)

Tests

  • 7742 tests were completed during the week ending 30th June 2021.
  • Of these, 10.9% were positive. This is higher that the 10.6% positivity rate found during the previous period.
  • 3783 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 4th July.

Coronavirus York updates; 2nd July 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

One additional death reported today. It occurred on Wednesday and is the first hospital fatality since 11th June 2021

There have been no changes in patient numbers

Test Results

98 positive test results announced today. That is the lowest for a few days. Brings cumulative total up to 14.034.

The number of cases in the City has increased from 623 to 688.

The rate /100k population is 326.67. It is trending to reach 392.2.3.

Neighbourhoods

Fulford, Heslington and the University continues to be the neighbourhood with the highest infection rate.

Vaccinations

1124 vaccinations were completed on Thursday

Tests

  • 7184 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 27th June 2021.
  • Of these, 9.5% were positive. That represents an increase on the 8.7% positivity found during the previous period.
  • 2786 “lateral flow” tests were also competed on 1st July.

Council commentary

The York Council has updated its “open data” commentary. It is reproduced below.

The data is accurate as at 8.00 a.m. on Friday 02.07.21. Some narrative for the data covering the latest period is provided here below:

People with Covid Symptoms

• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 26.6.21 there had been 107 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 1.7.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 554 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 3,773 people). The peak rate was 1,283 on 7.1.21.

Diagnosed cases

• As at 1.7.21 York has had 13,936 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 6,617 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (7,456) and regional (7,904) 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 number of new cases is worsening. The latest rating for York (28.6.21) is Red.

• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 23.6.21 to 29.6.21 in York is 379.4 (799 cases). (Using data published on Gov.uk on 1.7.21).

• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 20.6.21 to 26.6.21 in York was 295.8 (623 cases). The national and regional averages at this date were 160.2 and 197.6 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 1.7.21).

• York is currently ranked 127th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in England with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.

• For the 7 day period 19.6.21.to 25.6.21, the number of cases in each ward varied from 4 to 116 and rates varied from 96.4 to 764.9 per 100,000.

• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 20.6.21 to 26.6.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 22.2 (11 cases). The national and regional averages were 25.6 and 32.0 respectively.

• As at 29.6.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 13.89%. The national and regional averages are 7.7% and 9.8% respectively.

• As at 29.6.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 1.39%. The national and regional averages are 0.7% and 1.1% respectively.

• As at 29.6.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 tests only) was 0.9%. The national average is 0.9%.

• As at 25.6.21 York University reported 258 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 28.6.21 York St. John reported 12 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

• Local Contact Tracing. Between 10.3.21 and 25.6.21, 715 referrals had been actioned by the local contact tracing service. Of the referrals actioned, 676 (94.5%) were successful and 39 (5.5%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible. (NB on the 10.3.21 the local CYC team became responsible for contacting all cases rather than just those that the national team could not contact).

Cases in Residential Care Settings

• As at 30.6.21 there were 3 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 of either a staff member or resident) in a residential care setting in York were reported by PHE on 24.6.21 (1 home).

Cases amongst School Aged Children

• In the 7 days up to 28.6.21 there were 34 children of primary or secondary school age who tested positive (across 16 different schools).

COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital

• As at 29.6.21 there were 5 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General/Acute beds. The previous figure was 6 on 22.6.21. The peak number was 157 on 19.1.21.

• As at 29.6.21 there was 1 confirmed Covid-19 patient and 0 suspected Covid-19 patients in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The previous figures were 0 and 0 on 22.6.21. The peak number for people in ITU was 19 on 10.5.20.

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 25.6.21 was estimated to be in the range 1.2 to 1.5. The previous estimate was (1.0 to 1.3) on 18.6.21.

Variants of Concern

• In the latest month for which data is available, 708 cases in York (with a specimen date between 30th May 2021 and 29th June 2021) had been processed in a laboratory which is able to carry out the required sequencing in order to identify Variants of Concern (VOC) or Variants under Investigation (VUI). Of these, there had been 690 cases (genomically confirmed or provisional genotyping) of the Delta Variant of Concern (VOC-21APR-02) which was first identified in India.

Total Vaccinations

• As at 30.6.21 a total of 139,514 CYC residents have had the first dose of the vaccine. This represents 80% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.

• As at 30.6.21 a total of 95,625 CYC residents have had both doses of the vaccine. This represents 54.8% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.

• Source: PHE Covid-19 Situational Awareness Explorer

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 provides a breakdown by age and gender. For both data sources a death from Covid-19 is said to have occurred when Covid-19 has been recorded on the death certificate. The most recently available data is summarised below:

• ONS Weekly data: In the most recent period (Week 24: 12.6.21 to 18.6.21) 0 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents.

• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 18th June 2021 and registered up to 26th June 2021, 397 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (228 in hospital, 136 in care homes, 25 at home/elsewhere and 8 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 188.49 which is lower than the national average of 232.76

• Age / Gender breakdown (using registrar data): The average age of the CYC residents who died was 82.1, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of the CYC residents who have died is older than the national average (79.6% were aged 75+ compared with 72.9% nationally). 47.7% of the CYC residents who died were male. The national average is 54.4%.

Coronavirus York updates; 1st July 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

Small reduction in patient numbers at hospitals today. No further deaths.

The last death of a York resident from COVID related issues occurred 3 weeks ago.

Test results

133 positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total up to 13,936.

The number of cases in the City has risen by 45.

The 156 positive tests recorded on Monday was the highest single day figure seen in the City since 11th January 2021.

The rate /100k population is now 295.81. It is trending to reach 379.38.

Neighbourhoods

Today the table has been augmented to include the latest vaccination figures for each neighbourhood.

As you would expect there is a correlation between high case numbers and low vaccination rates.

The areas with low vaccination rates also have high numbers of people aged under 25 who have, in the main have only been getting their first jab during the last fortnight,

Vaccinations

There has been a big increase in the 1st dose vaccination totals for under 25’s

Tests

  • 7033 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 26th June 2021
  • Of these, 8.8% were positive. This represents an increase on the 8.1% positivity found during the previous period.
  • 3617 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 30th June 2021.