Deaths and test results

There have been no further COVID 19 related deaths in the City

There have been NINE additional positive test results announced today bring the total to 1070

Neighbourhoods with the largest number of cases during the last 7 days are Tang Hall, Heworth North and Haxby.

Transparency

Sky video makes a very good case for widening the amount of data published at community level. They make the, very valid, point that “positivity” is a key measure (the percentage of positive test results) rather than the absolute number.

The authorities are reluctant to provide this information on a daily basis at local authority level nor do they provide information on the number of COVID occupied hospital beds or the characteristics of the cases we are seeing.

Local MPs should be leading the campaign for more openness. Instead they seem to be posturing on the sidelines

Grants for businesses

The Government’s Small Business Grants (SBG) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grants (RHLG) closed for applications on 28 August 2020.

The York Council is now reviewing its performance in helping business. A report has been published today.

It says that over £70 million in business rates relief has been processed.

£46 million has also paid to 3531 businesses in the small business and retail, hospitality & leisure sectors.

£1.1 million was granted to “micro businesses” from Council funds. A further £2.2 million came for government. However requests for aid exceeded the funds that were available.