Deaths and test results
TWO additional COVID related deaths reported at the York Hospital Trust, That makes 6 in the last week.
81 (EIGHTY ONE) new positive test results were announced today bringing the cumulative total to 2555.
The peak cases (per 100k population) reached a new high of 279.19 on Monday although there may be the first signs emerging that the rate of increase has stabilised since then. Too soon to be sure though.
Regrettably, for the second day in a row, the government has failed to publish case level numbers at neighbourhood (MSOA) level. Given that this is the first day of the new Tier 2 restrictions in the City, we think that the government should be publishing more – not less – background information.
Government warning on ill judged transport schemes
The government has issued a warning to councils about squandering the money made available from the Emergency Active Travel Fund. It will be reported to a meeting next week.
… a significant minority of instances where schemes were, frankly,
nowhere near good enough
A notable number of councils used their funding poorly and were simply out of step with the needs of their local communities. I saw or heard from the public and parliamentary colleagues about far too many instances where temporary cycle lanes were unused due to their location and design, while their creation left motor traffic backed up alongside them; of wide pavements causing unnecessary congestion in town centres; and other issues that many have, rightly, reacted angrily too. Government Minister
Vitamin supplements
One aspect of the COVID pandemic which intrigued many people was the fall in infection rates during the summer period. While this might partly be the result of people not mixing so much indoors, some heath workers are pointing to the impact that vitamin D can have on resilience.
Sunshine is the principle source of vitamin D for many people. People get less exposure to sunlight between October and April.
The respected “Which” magazine concluded recently that, while there was little evidence that the consumption of vitamin supplements prevented coronavirus infections, generally balanced vitamin supplements did help the immune system.
We think that there is a case for the Council making vitamin supplements available free of charge to vulnerable groups including those making use of food banks.
The York Council is expecting to get an additional £600,000 in support payments from the government as a consequence of moving into Tier 2 restrictions