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.
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.
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.
ONE additional death announced by the York Hospital Trust today. The fatality occurred on Wednesday.
Test results
ONE HUNDRED and NINETEEN (119) new positive test results announced today. Brings total to 9841
Infection rate continues to decline in the City.
Rate /100k population is now 603.49. Trending down to 500 early next week.
There was a reduction of 114 cases compared to previous days figure.
That is a big improvement but still some way to go before we get back to pre Christmas levels.
Case numbers are continuing to reduce at all levels (City, county, regional and national)
Hospitals
As of 12th January there were 156 Coronavirus patients occupying beds at the York Hospital Trust.
Of these, 6 were in intensive care.
Neighbourhoods
10th January – the latest date on which data was validated – saw reductions in infection levels in many neighbourhoods.
More are now showing in the “blue” category – indicating that they have an infection rate below 400.
There was a reduction in cases in the Westfield area but a small increase in Woodthorpe comparing one day’s figures with the previous.
Residents will be hoping to see a sustained reduction in case levels, in west and north York in particular, next week.
Vaccinations
Across the United Kingdom 3,234,946 people have now had their first dose of vaccine. 443,234 have received their second dose.
Over 300,000 vaccinations are now taking place each day.
No local data has yet been published by the government. The most recent NHS figures (14th Jan) for the regions are
Vaccination centre parking and buses
A new regional vaccination centre is being set up at Askham Bar. It is an extension of the existing facility there and will have extended opening hours
Askham Bar vaccination centre being expanded
First York have issued the following statement about the impact that the centre may have on its services
Askham Bar Park & Ride to help users of new Covid vaccine centre
A section of parking spaces at Askham Bar Park & Ride, operated by First York in partnership with City of York Council, will be cordoned off from Monday 18 January to help users arriving for appointments at a new Covid vaccination centre.
Disabled parking and electric charging points situated immediately behind the Park & Ride building are not affected and the site remains fully operational.
The opening of the vaccination facility, adjacent to the nearby Tesco store, means from today Service 3 buses will begin using the entrance and exit of the main public carpark at Askham Bar as the bus-only lane at the rear of the supermarket will be closed off to allow simpler traffic flow and access to the vaccination point.
Service 3 will use the Moor Lane Car Park bus stop off the roundabout on the A1036 Tadcaster Road close to the Tesco store in both directions and will not use the Tesco Car Park stop. The change will remain in place until further notice.
Marc Bichtemann, Managing Director of First York, said: “This is a minor alteration that won’t cause any delays for our customers and has been planned out carefully. It’s a further example of the close working relationship we have with the council and other partners in the city to help the community manage life in lockdown. It also demonstrates our joint approach with the council to support the tremendous effort to roll-out the vaccine which will provide a path out of the pandemic.”
He added: “Our drivers are there on the frontline, as they have been throughout the crisis, to ensure key workers and anyone making essential journeys can get where they need to be safely.
“Although we are carrying fewer passengers right now, it is important that everyone continues to wear a face covering properly for the whole time they are on the bus and use a cashless way to pay, if possible.”
Cllr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, City of York Council said: “It’s great to be playing our part and supporting the NHS with the space for this vaccination roll-out. I would like to encourage residents who have been contacted to attend a vaccination centre that this a safe, quick and easy process.
“As we continue to stay home and follow lockdown restrictions, is it vitally important that we maintain smooth public transport services for those who need them for essential journeys and for critical workers.”
First York drivers and other staff have been involved a variety of initiatives for communities across York during the crisis including hospital fundraising, council refuse collection, shopping and prescription pick-up and at the end of last year the company teamed up with Age UK York to support the elderly who have been isolated due to lockdown and Covid restrictions.
“It’s a testament to the attitude and passion of the team to do what they can to help York and local people through this situation and aid the recovery,” said Marc Bichtemann.
THREE (3) additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today. Two occurred yesterday and one on 17th Dec. The cumulative death toll has now reached 276.
142 of these have occurred since the start of September.
SEVENTY TWO (72) additional positive test results were announced today. That is fewer than yesterday but the figure suggests that the virus is still spreading quickly in the City.
The cumulative total number of cases seen in the City has now reached 6345
The rate /100k population figure climbed to 115.4 last Friday (the latest available validated data).
It is, however, set to rise to over 163 following 71 new cases being reported on Sunday.
Infections are currently growing at a faster rate than was seen during either the spring or autumn waves.
The latest validated figures (last Friday) for neighbourhoods show some large increases in infection levels.
There are more in the pipeline so extreme caution over Christmas would seem to be the best advice that can be offered to residents living in all parts of York.
Thelatest figures published by the government confirm that, since the beginning of September and up to 11th December, 37 York residents have lost their lives as a result of the Coronavirus.
Of these, 15 died in care homes, 16 in hospital, 3 at home and 3 at a Hospice.
Commentators will be scanning with interest the new “positivity” figures which are due to be published tomorrow.
The number of P2 tests conducted reached 6309 during the week ending 9th December. 2% of tests produced positive results. The latest results will give an indication of the impact that the third wave of infections is having on the number of local cases.
Please stay safe and look after each other
Amid a sharp rise in cases in York, city leaders are asking for a huge citywide effort to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
In recent days York has seen a substantial increase in the number of positive cases being returned. The positivity rate has increased to 4.09% and the latest validated rate for the period 11.12.20 to 17.12.20 was 103.5. This figure is expected to increase in the coming days. The council’s provisional rate for of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 14.12.20 to 20.12.20 in York is 140.5
The council is asking everyone to do what they can to keep themselves and others safe by:
Meeting people outside if you can (if you do see people inside for Christmas keep the windows open to let air flow through and keep it short, keep it local and keep it safe)
Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds or more with soap and water
Wear a face covering when in busy public spaces
Give people space – 2m is best
Self-isolating when asked to by test and trace
Getting a symptom-free test if you are eligible (book online)
In the coming days the council’s COVID support marshalls and BID rangers will support North Yorkshire Police’s continued patrolling in the city to help people to stay safe, and will take enforcement measures if necessary.
The probe comes in the wake of figures that reveal that the total number of days that patients have were delayed during the year to May 2017 was 10,436.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is reviewing the York health and social care system and delayed transfers of care.
In a report to be considered later this week, the York Council says, “The review will highlight what is working well and where there are opportunities for improving how the system works”
This equates to, on average, 28.6 beds each day being occupied because of delayed discharges, although, during the most recent three-month period, this figure was 24.5.
A delayed transfer of care occurs when a hospital patient is deemed medically fit to be discharged, but cannot be released from hospital because they are awaiting a package of care from either the NHS and/or a local authority
There continues to be a downward trend in the number of days that patients are delayed leaving hospital that are attributable to adult social care.
In 2016/17, on average, patients were delayed for 3.73 days in hospital due to adult social care services.
The Better Care Fund provided the Council and hospitals with finances to work together on a range of measures, including delayed transfer of care, aimed at improving outcomes for NHS and adult social care users in the City of York area.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is reviewing the York health and social care system and delayed transfers of care.