SEVEN additional deaths’ announced by the York Hospital Trust. Two occurred on Sunday and five yesterday. The cumulative death toll, at the York and Scarborough hospitals, recorded since 1st September, has now reached 255.
The latest ONS figures, indicating the number of COVID fatalities among York residents, have been published. They cover the week ending 15th January 2021.
They paint a grim picture with 18 residents losing their lives in hospital and a further 6 in care homes. One fatality occurred at home bringing the weekly total to 25.
That is the second highest weekly toll since the start of the pandemic. (29 lost their lives during the week commencing 1st May 2020).
The figures differ from those published by the York Hospital Trust which covers a larger area than the City.
Test results
FORTY ONE additional positive test results announced today. That is the lowest single day figure recorded since December. Brings the cumulative total number of cases to 10,779
The rate /100k population has now fallen to 305.78. The trend suggests that case numbers could be below 200 by the weekend.
The 7 day rolling average number of cases is now below 100. At 92.0 it is the lowest figure seen since 27th December 2020.
While case numbers in York and North Yorkshire continue to reduce steadily, progress is slower across England as a whole. The Yorkshire regional figures seem to have stabilised
Neighbourhoods
Testing numbers
There has been some speculation that the recent fall in positive test results can partly be explained by lower testing numbers. Essentially commentators suggested that poor weather had deterred many from getting a test.
That doesn’t appear to be the case in York where overall test numbers remain stable.
They are significantly higher than was seen at the peak of the second wave. That occurred on 16th October when a positivity rate of 15.8% was recorded (6180 PCR tests were undertaken during that week)
The third wave high occurred on 3rd January 2021 when 6843 PCR tests produced a 18.2 % positivity rate
The latest figures (20th January) saw 6399 PCR tests completed with a positivity rate of 12.2%.
In addition, an average of 934 “lateral flow” tests are being completed EACH DAY in the City.
The Council is asking residents to book a test if they are “symptom free”
We’re offering symptom free covid testing if you are aged 18+ and still going to work (incl. construction & education) or you live with/support those most at risk OR if your secondary school have recommended it.
The main defect with the system in York at present, is a lack of feedback on the numbers of positive results that have been recorded at the individual testing sites.
Such information might support – or otherwise – the claim being made at a national level that many of those being given positive test results, subsequently fail to follow isolation procedures.
Why lockdown isn’t working fast enough and what we should do next: a thread….. Not just borders and monitoring new strains, but time to fix the biggest flaw in our current strategy, namely that three quarters of those with symptoms do not self-isolate.
There are currently 223 confirmed and suspected Covid-19 inpatients being cared for by the York Hospital Trust. That compares with 222 last Friday.
It also had 11 patients in intensive care, compared with 13 on Friday.
More than 50 Covid patients were discharged from York and Scarborough hospitals over the weekend
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said yesterday it had discharged a total of 1,589 Covid-19 patients to their usual place of residence or who were no longer being treated as having the illness, compared with 1,536 last Friday.
Vaccinations
278,757 first doses, together with 1968 second doses, were administered yesterday. In total across the UK, 6,853,327 people have now had their first dose and 472,446 their second dose.
We're seeing reports of scam emails that invite users to input their bank details into a website to confirm their COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
The NHS will never ask you to share bank details or pay for a vaccine.
FIVE additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust. Three occurred on Saturday and two yesterday. The cumulative number of fatalities at the York and Scarborough hospitals since 1st September is now 248.
Test results
SIXTY SIX additional positive test results were announced today, bringing the cumulative total to 10,738.
The rate /100k population has now fallen to 331.42.
If the current trend continues then the rate should fall below 250 before the end of the week.
The 7 day rolling case rate (99.7) has fallen below 100 for the first time since 28th December 2020.
Infection rates in York continue to reduce more quickly than is being seen at regional or national level
Neighbourhoods
The number of cases has reduced by 49 compared to yesterdays report.
Westfield now has the highest number of cases. Although it has show a reduction on each of the last 13 consecutive days the trend down has been slower than elsewhere in the City.
Similarly after a sustained reduction in Woodthorpe, case numbers there have now stabilised at around 45.
Only seven of the City’s 22 neighbourhoods now have an infection rate of over 400.
Vaccinations
Nationally only 222,249 doses were administered yesterday. That is the lowest figure for several days.
The cumulative total number of doses administered is now 6,573,570 (first) plus 470,478 (second)
York Covid Vaccination update statement 24/1/2021
The new National Vaccination Centre (NVC) opened on the Askham Bar site on Monday 18th January. This is an additional vaccinating facility to add to the original PCN vaccinating facility and now doubles the sites vaccinating capacity.
Both facilities were operating this weekend, and a record 4,000+ people were given their first Covid vaccination over the two day period!
Both facilities are operated by Nimbuscare, which is a collaboration of all the GP practices in York.
Along with those vaccinated at York Hospital, the number of people given first doses of a Covid vaccination in York now stands at over 35,000.
This is a fantastic effort by all those involved – GP practice staff, community pharmacy teams, Army medics, local dentists, Nimbuscare, Eboracum Security and many local volunteers.
Citywide Health – York’s Independent Pharmacy Group provides full pharmacy support at Askham Bar. This includes vaccine dilution training, competency sign off and monitoring. Our pharmacists are also responsible for vaccine receipt, storage, site distribution and record keeping, and have been vaccinating many patients.
Almost all over 80s in York have now been given their first vaccination, whilst practice nursing teams are close to completing all the city’s nursing homes, and are making good progress with those that are housebound.
Priority groups 3 (75-79yo) & 4 (70-74yo) are currently being invited to Askham Bar, and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable (shielding) will receive their invitation very shortly – please wait for your invitation and do not call your GP surgery as they are currently extremely busy.
Latest regional progress figures
Hospital
No new data has been published.
The last NHS stats published (19/1/21) indicated that 205 beds at t HE York Trust Hospitals were occupied by COVID patients.
Two additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust. One occurred on Friday and one yesterday
Test results
FIFTY THREE positive test results announced today. That is the lowest single day figure since before Christmas. Weekend figures tend to be lower so there may be a correction later in the week.
The cumulative total is now 10,672
Rate /100k population has fallen to 354,69. The current trend would see the rate fall below 300 on Tuesday.
Infection rates in York and North Yorkshire continue to fall more sharply than either the regional or national trends.
Neighbourhoods
Infection rates are continuing to fall in all areas (with the sole exception of New Earswick)
Vaccinations
6,353,321 people in the UK have now received their first dose of a vaccine. 491,970 were inoculated yesterday (a daily high)
Good to see the Priory Medical Group using social media to keep their patients’ up to date.
A thread In the last week we started the process of inviting patients 75-79yrs to have their covid vaccination at the local hub. On Friday were able to start contacting patients 70-74yrs & hope to invite those in the clinically extremely vulnerable category in the coming week. pic.twitter.com/PAHbH8ihkG
Two additional deaths were announced by the York Hospital Trust today. One occurred on Thursday and the other yesterday. The cumulative total since the 1st September now stands at 241 fatalities.
Test Results
SEVENTY SEVEN (77) new positive test results were announced today bringing the cumulative total to 10,619
The rate /100k population is down below 400 to 375.58. This is the lowest rate recorded in the City since 28th December.
Following the current trend, the rate will reduce below 300 early next week.
The York rate continues to be below the national rate. The infection rate is also now reducing quicker than is being seen elsewhere in the region
Neighbourhoods
Mostly good news as the number of cases in the City falls from 860 to 791.
The are now no neighbourhoods above the 800 case rate benchmark.
Two areas (South Bank/Dringhouses and the City Centre) are now below the 200 case rate benchmark.
Hospitals
There are currently 222 COVID patients being cared for by the York Hospital Trust. !3 patients are in intensive care.
The Trust has discharged 1536 COVID patients since the start of the pandemic.
Vaccinations
Nationally 5,861, 351 first doses have been administered. 468,617 second doses have also been administered.
478,248 first doses were administered yesterday – the highest daily total so far.
No local vaccination figures have been published today. (see next story)
Plea for more information on local vaccination progress
According to senior sources within the York Council, the Authority is once again fuming over the lack of information being provided by central government on the response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Askham Bar vaccination site
A few months ago, the Council was highly critical when central government initially refused to share information about the progress being made with “test and trace” processes. It subsequently became clear that the process being used was ineffective with many contacts not being traced through the centralised system.
Eventually the government relented and gave local Councils access to the data. This brought about an immediate improvement in contact successes, with locally based staff hand delivering notifications where telephone contact proved to be impossible.
Now a similar dispute has arisen over the availability of vaccination data.
But two weeks into the major part of the roll out of the jabs programme, only national figures are being published. Even the promised regional performance figures have been removed from the site although these can be found via an NHS web page.Statistics » COVID-19 Vaccinations (england.nhs.uk)
No information is routinely being published at either local health trust or local authority level.
Some information was published by the Council yesterday giving the total number of jabs delivered by 18th January. “17,341 CYC residents had received the first dose”. There was no indication of the source of the 4 day old claimed figure
We understand that the York Council’s position is
“ …fully agree that more data being shared both regionally and locally on vaccine progress would be useful. This continues to be a significant frustration for local councils and public health teams across the country. Despite commitments made by Ministers last week to grant access to localised vaccination data for local public health team use, the data to which York’s team has access to is very limited. This is making it harder for the public health team to assist logistically with the rollout and give residents a clearer understanding of the situation locally”.
The senior source goes on to say,
“We have made such representations with colleagues in the Department for Health, NHS and the CCG. Earlier today I once again wrote to the Health Secretary outlining the urgency of providing access to granular vaccination data; broken down by region, local authority, age and priority group. I am waiting to hear back on if and when further data might be able to be shared.
I, along with colleagues and partners, will keep making the case for accessibility of both vaccination distribution as well as supply data to aid in the NHS programme and ensure we are on track to protect our residents and return back to normal when it is safe to do so”.
The Council Leader is quoted in The Press as saying,
“It would be helpful if the Government gave more vaccination data; broken down by region, local authority, age and priority group”.
We are fully behind the Council in its quest from more openness.
We hope that local MPs add their voices to the calls.
FOUR (4) additional deaths have been reported by the York Hospital Trust today. Two occurred on Wednesday and two yesterday.
The cumulative number of COVID fatalities since 1st September is now 239.
NB. These are not all York residents.
Comparing the latest validated figures for York resident registered deaths ( week ending 8th January) there were 8 hospital deaths recorded.
During the same week the York Hospital Trust declared a total of 16 fatalities.
Test Results
SEVENTY SIX (76) additional positive test results were announced today. The cumulative total is now 10,542
The current rate /100k population figure is 408.34.
This is expected to trend down to below 350 over the next couple of days.
Infection rates in the City are now falling faster than is being seen at county, regional and national level.
Hospitals
According to government issued figures, there are currently (19/1/21) 205 COVID patients being cared for by the York Hospital Trust
Neighbourhoods
Wigginton remains the only area with a case rate in excess of 800. It has two fewer cases than were recorded on the previous day.
Case numbers in Foxwood North/Westfield/Chapelfields have fallen from a peak of 144 ,seen on 8th January, to 62 on 17th January.
The lowest infection rate (179.5) can now be found in the South Bank/Dringhouses area
Vaccinations
According to the latest Council update (see below) as at 18th January
“17,341 CYC residents had received the first dose and 1,015 had received both doses.
8,999 people over 80 have received the first dose. This represents 79.4% of the estimated number of people aged over 80 in York (11,334 people).
664 people aged 65+ who live in care homes have received the first dose”.
Tabulated local information is still not published although the York Council are now claiming that 80% of over 80’s have now been immunised
The latest vaccination figures published by the NHS today are reproduced below.
NHS figures published on 22nd January
Testing
Council commentary updated
The York Councils commentary on Coronavirus has been updated on its open data site
The briefing does refer to infection rates in “wards” This is not correct. Statistics are reported by Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOA) boundaries (which are very different from ward boundaries). MSOAs are a feature of census data gathering protocols.
People with Covid Symptoms
• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 18.1.21 there had been 267 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 20.1.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 733 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 4,840 people). The peak rate was 1,282.6 on 7.1.21.
Diagnosed cases
• As at 21.1.21 York has had 10,466 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 4,969.2 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (5,493.24 and regional (5,531.1) 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 (18.1.21) is Green.
• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 13.1.21 to 19.1.21 in York is 347.1 (using data published on Gov.uk on 21.1.21).
• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 10.1.21 to 16.1.21 was 424.5. The national and regional averages at this date were 484 and 257.3 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 21.1.21).
• York is currently ranked 65th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.
• For the 7 day period 9.1.21.to 15.1.21, 10 wards in York (Acomb, Westfield, Rawcliffe & Clifton Without, Dringhouses & Woodthorpe, Wheldrake, Holgate, Rural West York, Guildhall, Bishopthorpe and Micklegate) have seen a statistically significant fall in rates compared with the 7 day period 2.1.21 to 8.1.21. For the remaining wards there has been no statistically significant change in rates. No wards have seen a significant increase in rates.
• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 10.1.21 to 16.1.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 397.4. The national and regional averages were 383 and 201.1 respectively.
• As at 18.1.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 12.9%. The national and regional averages are 14.2% and 10.2% respectively.
• As at 18.1.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 1.18%. The national and regional averages are 1.1% and 0.6% respectively.
• As at 19.1.21, the latest 14 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 and 2 PCR tests combined) was 13.5%. The national and regional averages were 14.5% and 10.3% respectively. The breakdown for York over the last 14 days is a 9.5% positivity rate for Pillar 1 tests and a 14.4% positivity rate for Pillar 2 PCR tests. Source PHE
• As at 21.1.21 York University reported 41 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 18.1.21 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
• Since 28.5.20 a total of 9,453 laboratory confirmed CYC Covid cases have been uploaded into the NHS Test and Trace system and 8,480 of the cases have been completed (89.7%). 22,810 ‘contacts’ have been identified and 16,736 of these have been completed (73.4%). Source: PHE Report.
• Local Tracing of Cases: Between 22.10.20 and 15.1.21, 711 ‘actionable’ positive COVID-19 CYC cases have been referred to the local contact tracing service. 688 of the referrals (96.8%) have been actioned and 23 are still ‘in progress. Of the referrals actioned, 469 (68.2%) were successful and 219 (31.8%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible.
Cases in Residential Settings / Schools
• As at 21.1.21 there were 10 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 21.1.21 (2 homes).
• In the 7 days up to 17.1.21 there were 44 children of primary and secondary school age who tested positive (across 25 different schools). NB Currently the majority of York children are not in the school setting.
COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital
• As at 20.1.21 there were 155 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General and Acute beds. The previous figure on 19.1.21 was 157
• As at 20.1.21 there were 8 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 0 suspected Covid-19 patient in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The previous figures on 18.1.21 were 5 and 1 respectively.
• As at 20.1.21 there had been 0 patients admitted with suspected Covid-19 and 5 with confirmed Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours.
• As at 20.1.21 there had been 14 confirmed patients discharged with COVID-19 in last 24 hours
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 15.1.21 was estimated to be in the range 1.1 to 1.3. The previous estimate was (1.1 to 1.4) on 8.1.21.
Vaccinations
• As at 18th January 17,341 CYC residents has received the first dose and 1,015 had received both doses. 8,999 people over 80 have received the first dose. This represents 79.4% of the estimated number of people aged over 80 in York (11,334 people). 664 people aged 65+ who live in care homes have received the first dose.
• In England between 8.12.20 and 20.1.20, 4,740,578 vaccinations had been administered (4,303,730) first dose and 436,848 second dose).
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 enables a breakdown by age and gender. The most recently available data is summarised below:
• ONS weekly data: In the most recent week (2.1.20 to 8.1.20) 8 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (all in hospital).
• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 8th January 2020 and registered up to 16th January 2021, 238 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (128 in hospital, 91 in care homes, 13 at home and 6 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 113 which is lower than the national average of 145.3.
• ‘Excess’ deaths – all causes (ONS). In 2020 there were a total of 165 ‘excess deaths’ in York in 2020 compared with the average weekly numbers for 2014-2018. The breakdown over the year is: 18 fewer deaths in weeks 2-14, 210 more deaths in weeks 15-21 (when covid deaths were at their peak) and 27 fewer deaths in weeks 22-53.
• Local Registrar data (Cumulative): Since the start of the pandemic (using data for deaths occurring up to 13.1.21), a cumulative total of 241 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, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of those dying in York is older than the national average. 117 of the 241 were male (48.5 %), less than the national average (55.1%). 86 people (35.7%) died in nursing /care homes; (the national average is 24.37%). In addition 20 people (8.3%) who normally resided in nursing/care homes in the CYC area, died in hospital.
TEN (10) additional deaths reported by the York Hospital Trust today. 6 occurred on Tuesday and 4 yesterday. Brings the cumulative death toll since 1st September to 235.
The average number of COVID deaths in the York Hospital Trust area is now averaging over five a day.
Test Results
NINETY TWO additional positive test results today bringing total to 10,466
The rate /100k population figure has now fallen to 424.48. It is projected to fall below 400 on Saturday.
The infection rate is now below the peak seen in the second wave when cases reached 449.4 on 16th October.
The infection rate in York is now falling at a faster rate than the decline being seen at national and regional levels.
Hospital
There has been a significant increase in the number of beds occupied by COVID patients at the York Hospital Trust
There are currently 8 patients in intensive care.
Neighbourhoods
We are seeing a continuing reduction in infection levels across most of the City
Only one neighbourhood (Wigginton) now has a rate in the highest category
For the first time since 30th December we have a neighbourhood (Holgate East) with a rate below 200.
Vaccinations
More than 80% of over 80s and people in care homes have now been vaccinated – and letters are being sent to over 70s – according to the Council
4,973,249 people nationally have now had their first dose of vaccine. 464,036 have had the second dose.
363,508 first doses were administered yesterday which was a record high
Reports are still coming in about problems yesterday at the regional vaccination centre at Askham Bar. Two hour waits while queuing in a car and difficult to access toilet facilities were cited.
We had a look at the vaccination site today.
Essentially, the authorities are using the new park and ride car park as an assembly area. They are then metering cars onto the service road and hence to the testing site
Assembly point on new Park and Ride site
When we arrived, there were about 15 cars in the assembly area. Some has just arrived. They were all released within 10 minutes.
They then queued on the service road to the rear of Tesco.
They seemed to be in the queue for no more than 15 minutes (papers were being checked at the head of the queue)
Entrance to old park and ride site
Vehicles were then released and asked to park in the old park and ride site.
Within a few moments, occupants were then invited to go into one of the marquees for a jab.
Old park and ride site parking
We think that the process would have taken less than 60 minutes start to finish for most, if not all, people.
It looked quite efficient although, we may have chanced upon a slack time. Those leaving the site spoke highly of the process.
We’d say the site was processing about 30/40 cars per hour.
People walking/cycling to the site have a separate entrance which we couldn’t monitor – but not large numbers.
Sources told the HSJ that the vaccines handed to primary care networks in the Yorkshire and North East NHS region would drop from 200,000 to 100,000 next week.
According to figures published yesterday, between December 8 and January 19 some 670,778 people in Yorkshire and the North East have had their first dose, and 71,378 second doses have been delivered, making 742,156 in total.
SEVEN additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today. Two occurred yesterday, three on Monday and two on Sunday.
The 11 fatalities seen on Sunday was the largest single day death toll recorded during the pandemic.
Test Results
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY TWO (142) new positive test results today. That is the largest total seen during the last 7 days. It mainly reflects test results counted on Monday (which is usually the highest daily figure).
The case rate trend remains downward. The current figure is 456.77 /100k population. It is still trending to go below 400 by the end of the week.
The infection rate in York is falling faster than the decline at national level.
It remains above the county and regional average.
7755 PCR tests were carried out in York during the week ending 15th January. The positivity rate was 13.4%
915 “lateral flow” tests were conducted on 19th January.
Hospital
227 patients are now being treated for Coronavirus at the York Hospital Trust. That is a record high number.
However, the Trust also reports that since the start of the pandemic 1503 COVID patients had been treated and discharged from their hospitals
Neighbourhoods
For the first time this month the number of COVID cases has fallen below 1000.
Only 5 of the 22 neighbourhoods in York saw an increase in case numbers during the seven days ending 15th January.
The highest rate can now be found in Wigginton
The lowest rate is in Holgate East
Vaccinations
There were reports today of some minor delays at the Regional Vaccination hub at Askham Bar (Moor Lane).
Nationally 4,609,740 people have received their first dose vaccination to date. 460,625 people have received their second dose.
The 343,163 first doses administered on 19th January was the highest ever daily figure
York Council increases support for York businesses
More of York’s businesses are now eligible for lockdown support payments, following an extension to the ‘Additional Restrictions Grants’ on Monday.
Senior councilors today approved proposals to extend grant payments to businesses severely impacted by current national restrictions. These are:
Offering grants to businesses which trade almost exclusively in York, but are not residents of the area, including many York-licensed taxi drivers and market traders who missed out on previous grants
Giving the small number of B&Bs and hotels who legitimately pay council tax, rather than business rates, the same level of grant as other accommodation businesses
Adding the childcare sector to the list of eligible businesses, and allowing nurseries to qualify for the highest level of grant
Supporting supply-chain businesses who are dealing with the closures of their customers.
Applications for eligible businesses are now open via the City of York Council online form, which can be found here. For those who apply successfully for the first time, a grant for November’s lockdown period will automatically be received.
Any business which has already successfully applied for the schemes does not need to reapply. Grants will automatically be distributed and this is being managed by the council’s payments team, who are aiming to process the grants quickly.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Finance and Performance, said:
Like before, we are working swiftly to ensure that local businesses receive the financial support they need to get through this difficult period.
“I would like to thank Council officers who are working around the clock to distribute these grants as quickly as possible. I would also like to thank our local business community in the city for helping us keep businesses informed and to reassure them that this support is on its way.
“Whilst we have made this process as simple as possible by automatically paying businesses which have previously received grants, we know that there will be some businesses who have not applied. I would strongly encourage these businesses to check the criteria and if you qualify, put in an application via www.york.gov.uk/COVIDBusiness .”
Councillor Andrew Waller, executive member for economy and strategic planning, said:
These new changes extend the support businesses we know have missed out on the latest government grants. We’ve listened to the city’s businesses and adapted these grant schemes in response, to protect jobs and the city’s wider economy.
“The Additional Restrictions Grant has already allowed to help hundreds of York small businesses who have seen their income dry up, and these adjustments have enabled more businesses operating in the city to get some assistance.
“We know that the need across the city continues to grow, and we remain committed to lobbying for more from central government. We realise that as situations change others are likely to fall through the cracks, and if that is you, please contact us as soon as possible at economicgrowth@york.gov.uk. We appreciate those who have already contacted us, and for continuing to work with us to get recognition for sectors who need assistance.
At this time, many people are feeling overwhelmed and may feel unable to cope with day-to-day life. For those who feel in need of emotional support, a variety of resources can be found via Live Well York.
The decision session of the Executive Member for Finance and Performance took place at 2pm on Monday. You can view the agenda and find details of how to live stream it here .
There has been a dramatic rise in the number of coronavirus deaths at the York Hospital Trust.
An additional ELEVEN fatalities were announced today. Nine of these occurred on Sunday.
That brings the total number of fatalities, recorded at the York and Scarborough hospitals since the 1st September, up to 218.
Eight York residents died in hospital during the week ending 8th January 2021.
-The latest figures published today indicate that there were no additional deaths’ in other settings including care homes during the same period.
However, figures issued by the Care Quality Commission indicate there were subsequently 2 care home deaths in York. One occurred on the 10th and the other on 12th January. The cumulative number of coronavirus deaths in care homes in the City now stands at 93.
The cumulative overall total number of York residents who have succumbed to Coronavirus now stands at 235, with 64 of the fatalities having occurred since 1st September 2020.
ONS have produced an interactive map which shows the number of deaths due to COVID-19 in local neighbourhoods. Covers the period between March to December 2020. The size of the circle represents the number of deaths.
click to access
Test Results
NINETY (90) new positive test results have been announced today. That brings the cumulative total to 10,232.
The case rate /100k population has fallen to below 500 for the first time since the beginning of the month. The rate is now 483.86 and is trending to go below 400 within the next few days.
Further confirmation of the decline in Coronavirus case numbers in the City is provided by thedetailed test results which have been published
The latest figures confirm that large numbers of tests continue to be conducted in the City.
Daily around 700 tests, using the “lateral flow” technique, are being undertaken.
In addition, each week, around 9000 PCR (Lab. based) tests are also conducted.
Significantly the percentage of positive test results has fallen from a peak of 18.25% seen on 3rd January to the latest figure of 13.8% recorded during the week ending 13th January.
Hospital
York Hospital Trust said this morning that there were now 211 confirmed and suspected Covid-19 patients Trust-wide, compared with 203 yesterday morning.
It said there was now a total of nine Covid patients in intensive care, compared with eight yesterday.
A trust spokeswoman said yesterday that York Hospital had 154 Covid patients on seven wards but it was not at capacity.
Deaths of York residents in hospital. NB. This figure differs from the totals notified by the hospital as the latter serves a larger area than just the City.
Neighbourhoods
Infection rates in most areas are continuing to fall.
Spike in Wigginton area
Vaccinations
Around 700 vaccinations are being carried out each day at the Moor Lane (Askham Bar) centre. Most 80+ York residents have now received their first jab and the programme is now understood to be moving onto those aged 75 and over.
No local figures on vaccination numbers have been published on government web sites
Nationally 4,266,577 first doses have been given.
456,866 second doses have been administered.
Around 210,000 doses are being administered each day
THREE additional deaths have been reported by the York Hospital Trust today. One occurred on Friday and two on Saturday.
Test Results
EIGHTY-EIGHT additional positive test results have been announced today. That is the lowest daily figure since Christmas. It brings the cumulative total to 10,142.
The rate /100k population has now reduced to 513.75 and is trending down to reach around 400 cases by the end of the week.
The graph below demonstrates how each of the three infection waves hit the City.
Wave THREE, which started in early December, pretty much followed the same rising profile as was seen in September/October.
However, it kept on going to a higher level peaking at an average weekly rate of 671.39 cases on 8th January.
This was significantly higher than the peaks seen in the spring first wave (96.9 on 5th May) or the autumn second wave (444.9 on 16th October)
7 day rolling case rate average
The York case rate has now fallen below the national average again.
Neighbourhoods
No York neighbourhoods now have infection rates of more than 1000.
Numbers are falling steadily – particularly in west York.
The highest case rate can be found in Clifton Without/Skelton (999.1)
The lowest rate is in the City Centre (237.5).
The number of cases in the City has fallen by 331 (25%) over a period of 6 days.
Hospital
Some 2 weeks after the peak in case numbers in the City (245 on 4th January) the hospital is reporting that over 200 beds are now occupied by COVID patients.
Eight patients are occupying intensive care beds
The hope, and expectation, is that the reduction in positive test numbers that we have seen during the last week, will result in progressively fewer admissions to hospital.
The vaccination programme should also begin to help to reduce bed occupancy from later this week (see below).
Vaccinations
According to NHS sources, almost 4 million vaccinations have now been competed.
681,371 of these were in the Yorkshire and North East region
No local figures have been confirmed as yet although the new “hub” at Moor Lane is now in operation.
FIVE (5 ) additional deaths recorded by the York Hospital Trust today. One occurred on Wednesday, one on Thursday and three on Friday. The cumulative death toll since 1st September at the York and Scarborough hospitals is now 204.
The current average death toll lies between 3 and 4 cases per day and is rising.
Test Results
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT (108) additional positive test results announced today
COVID case numbers top 10,000 milestone in York as total hits 10,054
Infection case rate continues to fall.
The current figure is 550.78 /100k population. It is set to fall below 450 on Tuesday on current trends.
The rate now seems to be falling as steeply as it was rising a couple of weeks ago
NB. The highest figure recorded, during the Autumn second wave, was 444.9 on 16th October 2020.
By 16th January 19,154 “lateral flow” tests had been completed in the City. Around 700 a day are currently being undertaken.
PCR (lab based) test numbers are currently averaging around 1200 per day.
Neighbourhoods
The majority of areas are now showing a declining infection rate
Infection rates continue to reduce at all levels
Hospital
COVID patients in York Hospital Trust
Vaccinations
3,857,266 people in the UK have now received their first COVID vaccination.
No sign of any activity at the vaccination centre on Moor Lane today. However, according to the media, it will open as a regional hub tomorrow (Monday).
Since December 2020 residents within the City of York have been invited by their GP practice to have their vaccination at the Askham Bar site. The new extension to the vaccination centre, which will give vaccinations to people within a 45 minute drive, will operate in addition to the GP-led vaccination service. York residents will continue to receive their vaccinations in line with the Government’s priority groups.
Both services will be managed by a collaboration of local GPs called Nimbuscare which has already been running the Local Vaccination Service from the site since before Christmas, on behalf of 11 York GP Practices. The site is also used as a flu vaccination site which Nimbuscare opened in October.
The NHS Vaccination Centre will be capable of delivering thousands of jabs each day. York people will continue to be vaccinated at the site.
This is NOT a drive-through site. People will be asked to park before being directed to go inside one of the new Vaccination Centre buildings.
What’s new?
The current five Vale of York Local Vaccination Services will now be strengthened by the opening of the Vaccination Centre to cover a wider area – available for people living within a 45-minute radius of the York site.
