FIVE (5) more Coronavirus deaths were announced by the York Hospital Trust today. One occurred yesterday, three on Monday and one on Sunday.
The death toll on 10th January, at eight, is the joint highest single day figure seen since the spring.
Test results
TWO HUNDRED (200) additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative figure up to 9593.
The rate /100k population has now peaked at 670.91. It is expected to trend back down to around 600 by the end of the week.
During the week ending 8th January case numbers increased at all levels. York remains above the national average.
However, the rate of increase in case numbers in the City has slowed over the last week.
There is a reasonable expectation that case numbers will now start to fall.
Neighbourhoods
The 1413 cases total (w/e 8th Jan) was the highest total recorded in the City
The western suburbs continued to be badly affected.
Vaccinations
As at 12th January 2,639,309 people in England had received first dose COVID vaccinations.
York figures have not yet been published (but understood to be over 10,000)
Test site to remain open
We understand that the mobile test site, currently occupying the Acorn Rugby Club Car Park on Thanet Road, will remain open for another week (except Friday) . Organisers say that over 1000 test have been carried out at teh site over the last week.
York Wheels have written to local Councillors giving the following information
“Here at York wheel we run 2 services with the support of York City Council.
York Wheel – Volunteer car scheme community transport – for a small fee we take customers to hospital/dentist/podiatry appoints and are currently working with Nimbus (Askham Bar COVID centre) to assist in the transport of the elderly to the facility to enable ALL to have their COVID injection. A small charge is made to cover the drivers fuel (approx. 50% less than a taxi)
Dial & Ride – Mini bus service which takes customers to the main supermarkets – enabling them to keep their independence and to travel is groups of 6 safely to the supermarkets – the cost if £3.30 return of they hold a York City Bus Pass.
The customer must be eligible to travel on the above schemes and this entails been a York residence, been elderly, disabled or unable to travel on public transport for both schemes. The mini buses are also fitted to enable wheelchair users to access the vehicles whilst still in their wheelchairs.
Usually we are open for other appointments but during COVID times we are currently only carry out necessary journeys under government rules. Finally due to the current situation we are a cashless office and at the time of booking the car scheme customers pay in advance via card. On the mini bus service they are able to use card for payment of the journey as each bus carries their own card machine.
Please feel free to pass our details to your constituents and local GPs etc. and we will assist were possible.
For the car scheme York Wheels call 01904 630080
For Dial & Ride please call 01904 551441
The charity has been working to help the residents of York for over 35 years and all our drivers are DRS checked and carry out thorough PPE both during and after journeys”.
Support key workers by following the rules say authorities
This Thursday (14 January), many across the country will join in the ‘Clap for Heroes’ at 8pm to celebrate the hard work of those on the front line.
This week, council leaders are asking residents in York to show their continued support and respect of our key workers by following public health guidance and helping ease the pressure on the NHS.
Over the last month, coronavirus cases in York have increased significantly, and residents are being asked to stay local, stay at home as much as possible, and help stop the spread of the virus. The latest validated rate of new Covid cases at 7 January was 637.6 per 100,000, above the regional average of 322.8 and the national average of 629.9.
Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:
We have all been incredibly grateful to key workers for their amazing efforts, not just this lockdown, but throughout much of 2020. With case numbers continuing to rise, it is now more important than ever that we all do everything we can to stop the spread and keep each other safe.
“I remain ever thankful for the hard work and sacrifices made by our key workers and I know that many residents will agree that the best way to truly demonstrate our thanks is to make sure that we avoid making their jobs even harder at this difficult time.”
“We know lockdown has been incredibly difficult for many, and I would urge anyone that needs support to get in touch with the Council Covid support team by covid19help@york.gov.uk or calling 01904 551550.”
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health, said:
the best thing any of us can do to support our key workers is to follow the guidance and stay at home. Last year the ‘Clap for Carers’ campaign was a great demonstration of the gratitude we all feel for those working on the front line.
“People working in a huge range of sectors have worked hard to make sure we can all continue to stay home to stay safe and therefore, we must not make their jobs any more difficult at this point by not following the latest national guidance. So I would encourage everyone not to leave their homes, unless it’s essential and remember to wash our hands, wear a face mask and keep a safe distance from others.
Wendy Scott, Chief Operating Officer for York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said:
the number of Covid-positive patients being admitted, and the rapid rise in number of cases, means that our hospitals are under growing pressure. The number of Covid-positive patients in hospital is now significantly higher than the number we experienced in the first wave.
“Our staff are doing an outstanding job responding to the pandemic; however it is absolutely vital that we all play a part in reducing the spread of the virus by complying with the lockdown restrictions and by following the health guidance of Hands, Face, Space.
“The emergency departments in both of our hospitals are also extremely busy. Please help us to help you by only using A&E for emergencies that are life or limb-threatening. If you are unsure about what to do, please consult NHS 111 first (by phone or online) to help you get the right service.”
Covid marshalls continue supporting city to be safe in lockdown
To continue supporting covid safety measures during lockdown, the council’s covid support marshalls are working in outlying areas to advise businesses and residents in lockdown.
Following the Government’s announcement for England to go into lockdown, the marshalls are helping to encourage people not to mix but to stay in household or bubble groups while keeping 2 metres distance. They are now adding new areas of the city to their rounds to lend their support, such as at popular walking spots, supermarkets and testing sites.
The marshalls will visit outlying shopping areas to add to the 525 city centre businesses they’ve already helped to implement and maintain covid-safe measures. This work builds on action begun by the council’s Environmental Health and Licensing teams. It includes helping shops and takeaways to manage queues, to display Trace and Test QR codes and to maintain hand sanitation stations.
The team has already advised 410 groups of people in the city centre. This included asking them to keep two metres apart and if they’re from the same household, to giving out 105 items of PPE including hand sanitiser, masks and information.
The marshalls have also been picking up dropped face masks which can present a health hazard. So far they’ve picked up and safely disposed of 510 face masks.
Councillor Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning, said:
“The marshalls’ work continues to be invaluable in ensuring that social distancing and face-coverings continue to be observed within businesses currently allowed to open.
“It is vital that people feel confident that others around them are following the necessary steps to reduce the spread of Covid-19.”
Councillor Denise Craghill, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, said:
“It is crucial now that we all do everything we can to minimise our contact with others, in order to save lives and protect the NHS, and our marshalls are supporting the city do just that.
No additional deaths were recorded by the York Hospital Trust today.
FORTY SEVEN (47) additional positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total up to 6166
The rate /100k population has reached 93.6. Is likely to exceed 100 when tomorrow’s figures are confirmed.
The first wave peak was 96.9 on 5th May.
The second wave peaked at 441 on 15th October.
Infection rates are continuing to rise across most of the City. Only the Clifton North area has fewer than 3 cases
Visitors from Tier 3 areas fined
Supt Mike Walker has told a North Yorkshire resilience forum that 18 fines had been issued by North Yorkshire Police at the weekend to Tier 2 residents and 56 to visitors from Tier 3 areas. He said the big problem had primarily been people gathering indoors, in pubs and houses, where the virus could spread.
Hospitals
The number of Covid patients at York Hospital has risen by 11 in the past week. The hospital currently has 46 patients with the coronavirus, Harrogate Hospital has 14 – down from 21 – and Scarborough has 36, down by two.
ONE additional death at the York Hospital Trust announced today. It occurred on Monday.
80 (EIGHTY) additional positive test results today bringing the total to 3537. The rate per 100k population has declined steadily since it peaked at 309.58 on 20th October.
Continuing good news with the rate of increase still stable and continuing signs of a decline in cases at City level. More neighbourhoods now have infection rates below the national average and cases at Heslington – although still higher than in other neighbourhoods – have now halved compared to the start of the local spike.
There is some concern about the steady increase in case numbers in Rawcliffe and Clifton South which now has the second highest rate in the City.
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
Three more positive test results announced today bringing the cumulative total to 964. Government distribution map suggest that there is no concentration in any particular neighbourhood.
No information issued by the authorities on whether there is any link between recent cases, although numbers are higher now than they were four weeks ago.
There have been no more hospital deaths or positive test results announced today.
Outbreak management board agenda
The Council has published its agenda and supporting papers for its COVID management board meeting which is taking place tomorrow (Wednesday) click blue wording for links to support documents
