Coronavirus York updates; 27th March 2021

Deaths

No further hospital deaths today.

Last fatality occurred on 17th March.

Test results

According to the government’s web site the cumulative number of positive test results in the City remains at 12,176 today.

However, the profile of when the positive results were recorded has changed. They are recording a zero increase in cases today. The rejigging of the figures has resulted in 15 positive results being recorded on 25th March. If correct, this would be the highest single day figure recorded in the City since 9th March.

The number of cases in the City has increased from 65 to 68 (7 day moving average) That is the second day in a row that there has been an increase

The rate /100k population has increased to 32.29.

The revisions to the incidence of positive test results has also impacted elsewhere. There has been a big reduction in case numbers in North Yorkshire.

Case numbers at reginal level continue to increase.

The national rate is stable

Neighbourhoods

The increase in case number sin Holgate East has continued. There are now 11 cases there. That is up from 1 in less than a week.

Elsewhere infection numbers are fairly stable.

Vaccinations

Tests

4599 PCR tests were carried out in York duirng the week ending 22nd March 2021

1.5% of the tests were positive. That represents and increase over the previous days figure of 1.3%

1668 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 26th March

Hospitals

Latest capacity figures from York Hospital Trust

Council plans for reopening the “High Street”

original allocations

The Council has revealed more of its plans to fund the reopening of the City centre to visitors. An initial programme had been discussed earlier in the month (click)

At a behind closed doors meeting, officials have now allocated funds to the following projects

  • The allocation of £45k to the BID to deliver College Green and general outdoor seating across the city centre
  • The allocation of £60k to Make It York to deliver Parliament Street seating area and £4.5k for the associated toilets
  •  The allocation of a single budget of up to £20k to allow Make It York and the BID to operate shared security and waste collections across all city centre wide projects
The College Green outdoor activity area is set to return

The plans singularly fail to address the issues faced by suburban shopping areas. Not for the first time, the Front Street area has been snubbed.

What’s on at Easter

Guide to some leisure options available this Easter holiday click

Grant support provided to more than 3,500 businesses

During the last quarter more than 3,500 companies received grant support from City of York Council.

As the nation marks one year of unprecedented changes for residents as well as businesses, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning has received an update on the economic support provided during the last quarter.

The focus for the council’s economic team has been quick and efficient payments of any business support grants for affected businesses, helping to protect jobs and secure the future for the diverse collection of independent businesses in the city.

City of York Council continue to provide grant support to more than 3,500 companies, accounting for more than half of the city’s businesses, which is a significantly higher proportion in comparison to other local councils. The Council’s focus has been getting support grants to those who are entitled to receive them quickly and efficiently, as well as focussing discretionary grants on the small and micro businesses that need them most. Funding provided through the 2020 microgrant scheme and the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) has helped over 1,200 businesses to adapt to challenges, and supported the diverse community of microbusiness in York. These businesses have been at the heart of the response in York, with payments received earlier than in other areas. 

The report considered by the Executive member shows how York continues to be the city with the lowest percentage increase in unemployment, with cities including Bradford, Hull and Birmingham having seen unemployment rise at nearly 3 times the rate that York has experienced.*

To further support job retention and creation in the city, the Council has endorsed proposals put forward by the city’s Skills and Employment Board to tackle the immediate impact of the pandemic.

One-year plan: Skills for Employment in York, sets out how the city needs to respond to the changing skills and training needs of the city post-pandemic. The aim is to ensure that residents and businesses have the necessary skills and training support to meet their needs, helping York’s economy to recover, and grow, over the coming years.

Coronavirus York updates; 8th March 2021

Deaths

One additional death has occurred at the York Hospital Trust. It took place on Saturday

Test results

Twenty additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total up to 11,979

The number of cases in the City has reduced from the 105 seen yesterday to 96 today.

The infection rate /100k population has fallen to 45.58. This is the lowest rate seen since 21st September 2021.

However, no further fall in the infection rate is expected before the end of the week.

Neighbourhoods

There has been a big reduction in the number of cases in South Bank/Dringhouses.

No neighbourhood now has an infection rate above 200.

Sixteen of York’s 22 neighbourhoods now have fewer than 4 cases in each

Vaccinations

Tests

4070 PCR tests were carried out during the week ending 3rd March 2021.

Of these, 2.1% were positive. This represents a reduction on the previous days figure of 2.4%

3403 “lateral flow” tests were conducted on 7th March.

Hospitals

York Hospital Trust is treating 50 confirmed and suspected Covid-19 in patients. Case numbers peaked at 242 on January 26. Six Covid patients are in intensive care. A total of 2,036 Covid patients have been discharged since the start of the pandemic.

University Students

There is no general return to in person learning for university students, other than those studying specialist courses such medicine/health, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Education and Social work

Many students have, of course, remained in York during the lockdown.

The only change is that, from today, in-person learning can resume for students who are studying practical or practice-based (including creative arts) subjects and need specialist equipment and facilities.

The Government has said that it will review, by the end of the Easter holidays, the options for timing the return of remaining students.

More here

University of York here

Coronavirus York updates; 17th February 2021

Deaths

One hospital death reported, It occurred on Monday.

The latest figures, relating to the deaths of York residents from COVID-19, have been published by ONS.

They reveal that there were 17 fatalities during the week ending 5th February.

12 of these were in hospitals and 5 in care homes.

Along with other data, the figures confirm that death rates are now falling in the City.

Test Results

Seventeen additional positive test results have been announced. Brings the cumulative case total up to 11,622

The rate /100k population has fallen to 85.47.

It is expected to level off tomorrow before starting to fall again later in the week.

The infection rate in North Yorkshire has now fallen below the 100 case benchmark. It remains above the York rate.

Neighbourhoods

No significant changes today with most neighbourhoods now recording below average rates of infection.

Vaccinations

Tests

4515 PCR tests were carried out in York during the week ending 12th February 2021.

Of these tests, 4.4% were positive. The positivity rate peaked at 18.2 % on 3rd January 2021.

875 lateral flow tests were carried out on Tuesday 16th February

Hospitals

There are currently 103 COVID-19 patients in the York hospital. 9 are in intensive care

Coronavirus York updates; 29th January 2021

Deaths

THREE additional hospital deaths have been announced. One occurred on Tuesday and two on Wednesday.

Test results

SEVENTY TWO additional positive test results announced today. That brings the cumulative total number of cases in the City to 10,991

It seems that the rate of decline in infection levels may now be slowing. This feature was also seen in the middle of November when the post second wave decline in numbers markedly slowed.

Three weeks later it bottomed out at, a seven day average of, 17.4 (57.93 rate /100k population figure).

The infection rate now stands at 256.40 – down from the 269.22 seen yesterday

The rate in York is below the national average and on current trends will go below the regional average early next week. The number of cases in North Yorkshire is falling at a similar rate to York

Neighbourhoods

Five neighbourhoods with a case rate lower than 200.

Dunnington is now falling quickly towards the 100 case benchmark.

Vaccinations

National
Regional
York

According to one York GP practice, they are updating the local vaccination figures on their web site and social media channels. That would be a step in the right direction as communications on the progress being made each day, on vaccinating the four priority groups, is difficult to find.

& from Nimbuscare

Transmission Stats

Council commentary updates

The York Council has updated the following commentary on the pandemic on the open data web site. (NB. Sadly the Council is still referring to MSOA neighbourhoods as “wards”. The boundaries of the MSOAs are very different from ward boundaries).

People with Covid Symptoms

• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 25.1.21 there had been 225 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 27.1.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 545.7 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 4,789 people). The peak rate was 1,282.6 on 7.1.21.

Diagnosed cases

• As at 28.1.21 York has had 10,919 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 5,184.3 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (5,817.3 and regional (5,752) 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 (25.1.21) is Green.

• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 20.1.21 to 26.1.21 in York is 208.9 (using data published on Gov.uk on 28.1.21).

• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 17.1.21 to 23.1.21 was 269.2. The national and regional averages at this date were 373.2 and 242.3 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 28.1.21).

• York is currently ranked 35th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.

• For the 7 day period 16.1.21.to 22.1.21, 9 wards in York (Acomb, Westfield, Rawcliffe & Clifton Without, Strensall, Haxby & Wiggington, Clifton, Osbaldwick & Derwent, Heworth and Guildhall) have seen a statistically significant fall in rates compared with the 7 day period 9.1.21 to 15.1.21. 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 17.1.21 to 23.1.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 232. The national and regional averages were 294.5 and 190.4 respectively.

• As at 25.1.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 9.61%. The national and regional averages are 11.9% and 9.1% respectively.

• As at 25.1.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 0.54%. The national and regional averages are 0.7% and 0.4% respectively.

• As at 25.1.21, the latest 14 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 and 2 PCR tests combined) was 11.3%. The national and regional averages were 13.2% and 9.8% respectively. The breakdown for York over the last 14 days is a 9.5% positivity rate for Pillar 1 tests and a 11.8% positivity rate for Pillar 2 PCR tests. Source PHE

• As at 28.1.21 York University reported 29 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 25.1.21 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 9,953 laboratory confirmed CYC Covid cases have been uploaded into the NHS Test and Trace system and 8,940 of the cases have been completed (89.8%). 23,683 ‘contacts’ have been identified and 17,540 of these have been completed (74.1%). Source: PHE Report.

• Local Tracing of Cases: Between 22.10.20 and 22.1.21, 804 ‘actionable’ positive COVID-19 CYC cases have been referred to the local contact tracing service. 775 of the referrals (96.4%) have been actioned and 29 are still ‘in progress. Of the referrals actioned, 519 (67%) were successful and 256 (33%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible.

Cases in Residential Settings / Schools

• As at 27.1.21 there were 13 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 28.1.21 (1 home).

• In the 7 days up to 24.1.21 there were 30 children of primary and secondary school age who tested positive (across 19 different schools). NB Currently the majority of York children are not in the school setting.

COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital

• As at 26.1.21 there were 156 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General and Acute beds. The previous figure on 25.1.21 was 148

• As at 26.1.21 there were 7 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 0 suspected Covid-19 patient in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The previous figures on 25.1.21 were 8 and 0 respectively.

• As at 26.1.21 there had been 0 patients admitted with suspected Covid-19 and 4 with confirmed Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours.

• As at 26.1.21 there had been 10 confirmed patients discharged with COVID-19 in last 24 hours

Covid Patients (CYC Residents) discharged from York Hospital

• Between 18.1.21 and 24.1.21, 56 CYC residents were discharged from York hospital after needing NHS care for symptoms linked to covid-19 infection.

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 22.1.21 was estimated to be in the range 0.8 to 1.1. The previous estimate was (1.1 to 1.3) on 15.1.21.

Vaccinations

• As at 26.1.21 26,294 CYC residents have received the first dose and 1,017 had received both doses. 10,281 people over 80 have received the first dose. This represents 90.7% of the estimated number of people aged over 80 in York (11,334 people). 708 people aged 65+ who live in care homes have received the first dose.

• In England between 8.12.20 and 27.1.20, 6,918,853 vaccinations had been administered (6,473,752 first dose and 445,101 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 (9.1.20 to 15.1.20) 25 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (18 in hospital, 1 at home and 6 in a care home).

• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 15th January 2020 and registered up to 23rd January 2021, 263 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (146 in hospital, 97 in care homes, 14 at home and 6 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 124.9 which is lower than the national average of 157.6.

• Local Registrar data (Cumulative): Since the start of the pandemic (using data for deaths occurring up to 20.1.21), a cumulative total of 273 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 82.6, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of those dying in York is older than the national average. 133 of the 273 were male (48.7%), less than the national average (54.9%). 95 people (34.8%) died in nursing /care homes; (the national average is 24%). In addition 22 people (8.06%) who normally resided in nursing/care homes in the CYC area, died in hospital.

Coronavirus York updates; 25th January 2021

Deaths

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.

Coronavirus York updates; 24th January 2021

Deaths

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.

and Nimbuscare

Coronavirus York updates; 21st January 2021

Deaths

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.

The Health Service Journal (HSJ) has reported that health officials in Yorkshire had been told their vaccine supplies would be rationed since they were doing so well in rolling it out and limited supplies had to be diverted to areas which were struggling to reach vulnerable people.

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.

Coronavirus York updates; 20th January 2021

Deaths

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 .

Coronavirus York updates; 19th January 2021

Deaths

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 the detailed 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

Coronavirus York updates; 18th January 2021

Deaths

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.