The number of hospital patients continues to trend upwards. However there are no patients in intensive care and there have been no additional deaths
Test results
59 positive test results were announced today. This brings the cumulative total up to 12,967
The number of cases in the City has increased from 189 to 216
The rate /100k population is now 102.56.
Infection rates in York are now higher than the county, regional and national levels.
Neighbourhoods
For the first time since March, we now have a neighbourhood with an infection rate above 200. The area concerned covers the University, Heslington and Fulford (rate currently 229.4). Rates are also high in adjacent “dormitory” areas like Fulford Road and Tang Hall.
We did see a similar exponential growth in cases in the Heslington area in September/October last year. Then the infection rate peaked at 1720. The spike was generally put down to a lack of social distancing by students newly arrived in the City. A lockdown reduced the problem. Although that solution is not available at present, the University authorities are arranging a flash vaccination programme on the campus.
Although it won’t be popular with everyone, we think that the idea of a “COVID passport” may have to be revived. Only those with a double dose vaccination and/or a recent negative test would be allowed into venues where close social contact is possible. Everyone is due to be offered double dose vaccinations before September.
Vaccinations
Updated vaccination stats are not yet available
Tests
5720 PCR test were conducted during the week ending 17th June 2021
Of these, 3.6% were positive. That is more than the 3.2% recorded during the previous period
3159 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 21st June 2021.
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.
There have been no additional hospital deaths in York
There have been no additional positive test results recorded today
On line prices
The government has published a comparison of the price of essential products which could be purchased “on line” during the last 4 months. They suggest that prices have been fairly stable with only baked beans (!) showing a significant 3% price hike.
The Museum Gardens are due to reopen today (Thursday) at 10:30am. They will close at 6:00pm.
Deaths and test results
The were no additional deaths reported at local hospitals yesterday. There was also no increase in the number of positive test results (23/6/20).
£144 per person York cost
According to the BBC, the York Councils income shortfall in the wake of the health crisis is equivalent to £144 for each person in the City. The Council has already said it faces making cuts of £24 million in services.
The worst hit Council – the Highlands in Scotland – has a £411 shortfall per person, largely as a result of declining visitor numbers. The Leeds Council has a £61 million shortfall and says that it may not be able to balance its budget this year.
Physician, heal thyself?
Reports coming out of West Offices, say some Councillors are to be offered counselling to help them cope with the pressures of lockdown and the COVID crisis.
Welcome to Yorkshire
According to some reports, the Yorkshire tourist organisation could fold shortly. It depends for part of its income on a complex rates pooling arrangement which involves local authorities with a business rates surplus cross funding those with a deficit. The fall in business rates income as a result of the COVID crisis means that there will be no surplus to share, leaving WTY appealing for a direct subsidy from cash strapped local Councils.
There have been no further deaths at the York Trust hospitals. The total number remains at 212
Special Educational Needs (SEN) action
Following criticism about the way that young people with SEN were being treated in York, a list indicating the improvement actions being taken was agreed last week. Although normally such a report would have attracted some public interest, it was again dealt with “behind closed doors”. The report can be read byclicking here
Outbreak Management Advisory Board
The Government has announced the roll-out of the NHS “Test and Trace” programme across England, The programme will be supervised by an advisory board of 15 members (three of whom will be Councillors), which will meet every three weeks.
As the Council claims that it is still not party to the results of the tests being carried out at the Poppleton testing site, it remains to be seen how relevant this new body will actually be.
The Government have indicated that the possibility of small weddings recommencing by July 20 is now likely.
In order to marry you need to give ‘notice’ (28 days) before any marriage and pay the appropriate fee (£70).
“As a number of the weddings that have been cancelled by the council at Government direction during the covid crisis will be rebooked in many instances the Notice of Marriage (NOM) has lapsed”.
A repeat fee payment is not being sought by the Council.
It is unclear whether any discounted divorces will be available although, post lock-down, demand may be be high
Public toilets
The York Council has agreed to reopen public toilets click
Multi storey car parks reopening on Monday
The Council has agreed the following changes to parking arrangements with effect from Monday
1. Approved the re-opening of Piccadilly and Foss Bank car parks when Covid_19 based restrictions are eased and non-essential businesses open on the 15th June;
2. Approved implementing a 2 metre line around all Parking payment machines to assist with social distancing;
3. Approved the scaling up the parking enforcement operation from the 8th June (subject to COVID_19 alert stage), with an advisory letter being used for the first week (up to the 15th June) at the parking service’s discretion;
4. Approved the restart of the Abandoned vehicle service from the 15th June;
5. Approved to reinstate car park capacity in the city centre by the 15th June 2020 to reflect the reopening of retail in the city centre on the 15th June (subject to COVID_19 5 stage) and to transition from free parking for key workers in CYC public car parks to dedicated provision for NHS workers in the coach park at Union Terrace car park. This will be reviewed in September 2020 and work will be undertaken with the hospital to support active travel options. Exceptional circumstances will be managed through free passes.
6. Approved the continuation of the Pay on exit project for Marygate and Piccadilly going out to tender in June and exploring the implementation across all viable CYC car parks with decisions on further rollout to be brought back to the Executive in the Autumn 2020
7. Approved the reprovision of free blue badge parking displaced by the extension of footstreets in CYC public car parks with specific additional space provision in Monk Bar car park.
North Yorkshire Leaders Q & A on Tuesday
There will be another on line session on Tuesday. Generally these North Yorkshire run events are more informative than their York counterparts, although they also claim not to know how many positive COVID tests there have been locally!
“Leaders of North Yorkshire’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic will give an update on the work they are doing, and answer questions from residents and businesses.
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan will lead the live update and will be joined by:
Chief Constable Lisa Winward – North Yorkshire Police
Chief Fire Officer Andrew Brodie – North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service
Richard Flinton – Chief Executive of North Yorkshire County Council and Chair of the multi-agency North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum
Members of the public are invited to watch the meeting from 1.00pm on Tuesday on YouTube and submit questions in advance by emailing info@northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk, posting on Twitter using the hashtag #NYscrutiny or commenting on Facebook”.
TWO more people with coronavirus have died at hospitals within the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The two further deaths takes the total within the trust to 198. The trust includes York Hospital and Scarborough.
THERE have been only two further confirmed coronavirus cases in the City of York Council area over the last 24 hours. Latest figures from Public Health England showed the two more cases of coronavirus had been confirmed in the City of York Council area, taking the total so far to 449.
