Deaths

There have been no further hospital deaths announced today. There have been no deaths recorded by the York Hospital Trust during the last 3 days.

Test results

Eleven positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative total cases numbers to 12,029

The number of cases in the City has increased by 7 from the 96 recorded yesterday to todays figure of 103.

As forecast, the case rate /100k population figure has started to creep up. It is 48.91 today and could go as high as 53 by Sunday.

The spike in numbers is not as pronounced as was seen when lockdown 2 ended in December.

Vaccinations

Tests

4184 PCR tests were conducted in York during the week ending 6th March

Of these 1.8% were positive. That is the same proportion as the previous day

3512 “lateral flow” test were also conducted

Hospitals

41 COVID-19 patients are being cared for by the York Hospital Trust (9/3/21)

Eight are in intensive care

Neighbourhoods

The largest increase in case numbers at neighbourhood level has occurred in New Earswick. The area has gone from having one of the lowest infection rates in the City, to having the highest, in only 3 days

For the first time since last summer, the Fulford/Heslington/University neighbourhood has recorded fewer than 3 cases.

It isn’t just York that is seeing a spike in case numbers. The Yorkshire region has crept back above the 100 case rate threshold. Case numbers in North Yorkshire continue to fall.

York reopening plans

The York Council will discuss next week how the City can be safely “reopened” when lockdown restrictions are further eased.

Currently it is hoped that some relaxations will take place on 29th March when the “rule of 6” or two households outdoors will be allowed, (there will be no household mixing indoors), some outdoor sport and leisure facilities will reopen, organised outdoor sport will be allowed (children and adults) and outdoor parent & child groups (up to 15 parents) may meet (Travel will be “minimised” and there will be no holidays)

Of more impact for the City economy will be the plans for 12th April (earliest) when changes could include;

• Indoor leisure (including gyms) open for use individually or within household groups.
• Rule of 6 or two households outdoors. No household mixing indoors.
• Outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas.
• Libraries and community centres.
• Personal care premises (e.g. hairdressers).
• All retail.
• Outdoor hospitality.
• All children’s activities, indoor parent & child groups (up to 15 parents).
• Domestic overnight stays (household only).
• Self-contained accommodation (household only).
• Funerals (30), wakes, weddings and receptions (15).

Travel will continue to be “minimised” and there will be no international holidays

In response to the changes outlined in phase two above, the Council is proposing

• To provide temporary public toilets in the city centre during the initial stages of lockdown easing should they be required.
• Extend the Covid Marshalls until the end of June “to facilitate the Covid-safe management of the city”
• Deferral of increased fees for cremations and funeral service recording.

The report goes on to say,

At this stage, it is not recommended that the council commits additional
resource to promoting additional visitors to the city. Given the likelihood of varying rates of infection as a result of wider derestriction, the overarching principle has to be the safety of York’s residents and visitors.

A detailed list of the proposed actions can be read by clicking here

There is a proposal for more “managed open spaces” in the City which include additional seating on Parliament Street together with more “street food”. This could be extended (in May) to the Eye of York, College Green, the Minster school grounds and Tower Gardens.