Seven additional positive test results announced today. Brings total up to 12,349
Case numbers in City rise from 35 to 38.
Rate /100k population figure rises to 18.04
As we head towards tomorrow’s further easing of restrictions, it is perhaps worth remembering that, at the equivalent relaxation point in wave 1, case numbers in York were lower.
3/6/2020 – seven day rolling case numbers 3.29 (and falling)
16/5/2021 – seven day rolling case numbers 5.14 (and stable)
Case numbers falling again now in North Yorkshire
Neighbourhoods
Seven neighbourhoods are now recording three or more cases in each
Vaccinations
Tests
4271 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 11th May 2021.
Of these, 0.7% were positive. That is the same proportion as the previous day.
In addition 884 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 15th May 2021
There have been no further York hospital deaths announced today. The last fatality was on 17th March
Test results
13 additional positive test results have been announced today. It brings the cumulative total up to 12,160
Case numbers have fallen from 64 yesterday to 63 today.
The rate /100k population figure has fallen to 29.91 today. This is the lowest rate seen since 12th September 2020.
However, test results, already in the pipeline, mean that infection rates are expected to rise to at least 32 over the weekend. That is the equivalent of an extra 5 cases.
Little change at county, regional of national level today
Neighbourhoods
All but 3 York neighbourhoods now have infection rates below the national average
Vaccinations
The latest vaccination figures at local local neighbourhood level confirm that York is making very good progress with its programme.
96% of over 60’s have been immunised.
In addition, inroads have been made in the under 50 age group where nearly 18,000 have already received the jab.
Over 8000 vaccinations are being completed, on average, each week
Tests
4570 PCR tests were carried out in York during the week ending 20th March
Of these 1.4% were positive (the same percentage as the previous day)
4809 “lateral flow” test were also carried out on 24th March
Hospitals
The York Hospital Trust is now treating 35 COVID-19 cases. This up from 30 earlier in the week. Six patients are in intensive care. The patients are not necessarily from York. 2,088 Covid patients have been treated and discharged by theTrust since the start of the pandemic
York Minster
York Minster today announced its services and events for Holy Week and Easter, the most important festival in the calendar for Christians around the world.
Details of the programme can be found byclicking here
Cycle Lockers – rent waived
The Council is waiving the rent due on the 136 cycle lockers which are located at park and ride sites around the City. About 50% of the lockers are currently rented but, because of the pandemic, many have been unused this year. Cyclists have either been furloughed or have been working from home. The Council says it won’t charge any rent this year.
Potentially this leaves a shortfall of around £5,300 in the Councils budget. The income is used to maintain the lockers.
The Council has been encouraging the use of the lockers as part of a “park and cycle” initiative. Their fate, in the post COVID, world is unclear.
Lockdown rules due to be eased from Monday (29th March)
The outdoor socialising rules change in the second section of reopening due to be implemented next week.
The government says that the main inhibitor for this going ahead is the capacity of hospitals.
The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern
Government criteria for relaxing Lockdown restrictions
In York the number of COVID patients has fallen dramatically as the vaccination programme has been rolled out.
So in theory this, and the further relaxation of rules (including reopening shops) scheduled for the 12th April, will go ahead.
What will be of concern will be the ability of the authorities to deter trips from high Coronavirus rate areas to lower ones.
While York now enjoys a relatively low rate (currently around 30) areas as close to the City as Barnsley (187), Hull (145), Bradford (141) and Wakefield (131) have rates over four times higher.
From Mar 29, six people from six different households are allowed to meet outside, meaning the so-called ‘rule of six’ returns.
Alternatively, two households can meet outside. This means two families, who potentially together total more than six people, will be allowed to meet. This can happen in both outdoor public spaces and in back gardens.
The ‘stay at home’ guidance will be dropped. There will also be a significant loosening in how far people can travel to see someone outside.
While people will still be encouraged to minimise travel, there will not be punishments for someone who drives a few hours for a meet-up outside, then returns that day.
Outdoor organised sports for both adults and children will also return. This is for both socially distanced sports like golf and tennis and team sports like football, so Sunday league and five-a-side will return.
Indoor sports will still be off limits. Also the sports must be organised, so a large group of people cannot gather to kick around a football if it breaks the number limits explained above.
There have been no further positive test results or hospital deaths in the City according to government figures published today.
Sometimes “late” test results are retrospectively added to the daily totals but the trend may be encouraging.
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Restrictions to be eased further
From 25th July indoor gyms, pools and other sports facilities can reopen
On 1st August the government will update its advice on going to work, asking employers to make decisions about how and where their staff can work safely
From the same date, most remaining leisure settings, including bowling, skating rinks, casinos and all close contact services, such as beauticians, will be allowed to reopen
Live indoor theatre and concerts will be able to resume with socially distanced audiences
Wedding receptions for up to 30 people will also be allowed from next month
From September, schools, nurseries and colleges will be open for all children and young people on a full-time basis, while universities are also working to reopen as fully as possible
From October, the government intends to allow audiences to return to stadiums, while conferences and other business events can recommence, subject to the outcome of pilots
Shop local
City of York Council is encouraging people to shop local and stay safe this weekend.
Whilst face coverings are mandatory in shops from 24 July, city leaders are coming together to urge residents and businesses to consider the use of face coverings within the safety guidelines.
There is growing evidence that face coverings can stop the spread of Coronavirus. Face coverings, alongside regular hand washing, social distancing and staying home and getting tested, if you have symptoms, remain the best defence we have against the virus.
If you have a medical condition that means you are unable to wear a face covering, you do not need a letter from your healthcare professional to prove this. In this situation, you will still be able to enter shops and you will not be fined for not wearing one.
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council said: “Our local business community have worked hard to reopen safely, and to support them, the council has been issuing guidance packs to businesses and licensing premises to support them through this difficult period”.
“If every resident spent £5 with a local business, we would add £1m into York’s economy, and that is why we are encouraging residents to shop local and stay safe this weekend.
“Supporting York’s local businesses and independents puts your money straight back into our local economy and helps support the businesses who make York such a unique city. So, let’s continue to shop local and stay safe.”
Andrew Lowson, Executive Director at York BID, said: “We have seen other countries successfully introduce the use of face coverings without it impacting on people’s ability to enjoy shopping and socialising within the safety guidelines. We hope residents will continue to support their local businesses as they continue on the road to recovery.”
Marc Bichtemann, Managing Director of First York, said: “We have been increasing our services over recent weeks to help more people to travel as retail and leisure opens in York, including more frequency on the park and ride network, so we are able to carry customers safely to their favourite shopping destinations.
“Wearing a face covering on the bus is already the law unless someone is exempt and we encourage everyone, especially customers who may be using the bus first the first time, to bring one with them and help fellow passengers and our drivers to keep safe.”
