Three additional hospital deaths have been reported. One occurred on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Test Results
Eighteen positive test results announced. That is the lowest for a few days. Brings the cumulative total to 11,767.
As forecast the infection rate is rising. The rate /100k population now stands at 67.9. That is slightly down on the figure reported yesterday. However the reduction reflects just one case compared to yesterdays figures.
However, positive test results – already in the pipeline – suggest that the rate will rise to 75 before the end of the week.
The current case number spike is not without precedent.
On the day that Lockdown 2 ended (2/12/20) weekly case numbers stood at 23.14. A couple of days earlier they had fallen to 19.43.
Case numbers in North Yorkshire have stared to fall again. However, at regional (Yorkshire) level, for the fifth successive day, an increase in case numbers has been reported
Neighbourhoods
Now five neighbourhoods have fewer than 3 cases in each.
Figures are quite volatile
Vaccinations
Tests
4,435 PCR test were carried out during the week ending 18th February 2021.
Of these tests, 3.4% were positive. That is the same percentage as was reported yesterday.
1546 “lateral flow” tests were carried out on 22nd February.
Hospitals
York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is currently treating 80 Covid-19 inpatients.
11 Covid patients are being treated in intensive care.
1,968 Covid patients have been discharged since the start of the pandemic.
Good news as, for the second consecutive day, the York Hospital Trust announces that there have been no local COVID-19 deaths
Test results
TWENTY-EIGHT positive test results were announced today. This brings the cumulative case total to 11,749.
The rate /100k population figure has increased to 68.4 (66,90 yesterday). This spike was anticipated and represents an increase in case numbers from 139 to 144.
Case numbers in York are not forecast now to fall until the end of the week
There have been similar increases at county and regional level. The blip is unfortunate given the plan (see below) to ease Lockdown restrictions The total case figures for England did reduce.
The average daily number of cases, which we are seeing now, continues to closely mirror the trends seen at the end of Lockdown 2 in early December.
Neighbourhoods
The spike in numbers means that four neighbourhoods are now above the 100 case rate threshold.
On the other hand, we now have four areas with fewer than 3 cases in each!
Vaccinations
Tests
4477 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 17th February.
Of these, 3.4% were found to be positive (the same as yesterday)
1545 “lateral flow” test were carried out on 21st February
Lockdown changes
According to the government, the unlocking will be done in stages.
Step One: 8 March and 29 March
8 March
• All schools and colleges in England will reopen, while all childcare can resume
• Secondary school pupils will have to wear facemasks initially while staff in all schools are advised to wear masks.
• All secondary and college pupils will be tested twice a week
• One person will be able to meet one other person from another household outside for recreation, not just exercise
• This includes meeting in private gardens and will mean two people can meet for a picnic or sit on a bench with a coffee but they cannot play tennis or golf
• Care home residents will be allowed one named visitor.
29 March
• Up to six people from different households or a larger group from two households can meet outside, including in private gardens
• Outdoor sports facilities can reopen and organised outdoor sports can take place for children and adults
• From this point, the government will drop the “Stay at Home” message and will instead encourage people to stay local wherever they can
• People will still have to work from home where possible and no overseas travel, apart from necessary work, will be allowed.
Step Two: 12 April
• After the school Easter holidays, non-essential retail, including hairdressers and beauty salons, can reopen
• Libraries, museums, zoos, theme parks and gyms can open – but no indoor mixing of different households allowed
• Outdoor hospitality can reopen, including pubs and restaurants – with the rule of six or a larger group from two households
• Customers will not have to buy a substantial meal to have an alcoholic drink and there will be no curfew but people will have to be seated when ordering and eating or drinking
• Self-catering holidays in the UK with your own household will be allowed
• Funerals of up to 30 people, wakes of up to 15 people.
Step Three: 17 May
• Outdoors, most social contact rules will be lifted, but gatherings of more than 30 will be illegal
• Indoors, the rule of six or a larger group of up to two households will be allowed
• Indoor hospitality – pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, children play areas, hotels, B&Bs, indoor exercise classes – will be allowed
• Large indoor performances and sporting events with a capacity of 1,000 people will be allowed
• Outdoor large performances and sporting events will have a maximum capacity of 4,000 people or must only be half full, whichever is lower
• Bigger sports stadiums will be allowed 10,000 people or can only be a quarter full, whichever is lower
• Testing will be used to support these openings
• Weddings, wedding receptions, wakes, funerals and christenings will be allowed 30 people.
Step Four: 21 June
• All legal limits on social contact removed
• Government hopes to reopen nightclubs and lift restrictions on large events such as festivals
• Testing could be used as a condition of entry
• Ministers hope to remove restrictions on weddings
No deaths have been reported by the York Hospital Trust today
This means that the daily average hospital death rate has fallen from a peak of six on 21st January to two today.
The death rate is expected to continue to fall.
Test Results
Twenty-nine additional positive test results were announced today. That brings the cumulative total to 11,721.
The rate /100k population figure has fallen to 66.0.
However, infection numbers in the pipeline are showing a small spike.
This means that the rate will increase tomorrow and it may be towards the end of the week before a further fall in the rate could be expected.
The rate, compared to the decline seen towards the end of the second wave of infections, continues to follow a broadly similar trajectory (including short term spikes in infection numbers).
It isn’t just York that faces an occasional spike in case numbers. Infection rates have increased at both county and regional level today.
Neighbourhoods
Goods news today with only two neighbourhoods now above the 100 case rate benchmark.
There are currently 139 cases in the City. This is the lowest number recorded since 12th December 2020
This may be as good as it gets for a few days because of the spike in case numbers which are in the pipeline (see above).
It is also unclear whether the half term holiday, and recent good weather, may also have an impact
Vaccinations
Around 33% of adults in the UK have now been offered their first COVID-19 vaccination. Full coverage is now expected to be achieved by July.
People aged 64 are set to be contacted this week. click
Tests
4475 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 16th February.
Of these 3.4 % were positive. This represents a further fall in positivity numbers.
622 lateral flow test were conducted on 20th February
Thanet Road
Symptom-free Covid testing is available again at the Acorn Rugby Club car park on Thanet Road on Monday 22nd & Tuesday 23rd February, 9am to 3pm.
You will be able to book a test from the evening of Sunday 21st February at www.nhs.uk/Coronavirus and selecting the option that you were asked to attend by your local council.
The Prime Minister has promised to publish a road map, which will guide the nation out of lockdown, on Monday.
He is (rightly) downplaying the likelihood of a major early relaxation of restrictions.
It seems certain though that – on present trends – schools will reopen to all pupils in early March. The reopening plan is likely to involve regular testing of staff and teachers.
The table below compares the daily average number of new coronavirus cases being found during the two most recent periods of lockdown in the City (November compared to the present day)
The reducing case number profile is remarkably similar for both periods.
If the pattern continues, daily case numbers would fall below 20 before the beginning of March.
There is a warning for the future in what happened after lockdown 2 ended on 2nd December 2020, when more lax Tier 2 restrictions were put in place.
Case numbers continued to drop for about a week.
Thereafter, they rose increasingly quickly before peaking at 202.14 on 8th January 2021.
It has been a long and stressful road back from that point. It is progress which must not be put at risk.
Deaths
Three additional hospital deaths have been reported today. One occurred on Monday and two on Tuesday. The cumulative total number of fatalities at the York and Scarborough Hospitals since 1st September 2020 has risen to 339.
Test results
Nineteen new positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total up to 11,641.
As forecast there, has been a small increase in the case rate /100k population today. It has risen to 86.42
It is expected that the rate will resume its downward trend tomorrow.
Despite todays blip, York remains below the county, regional and national average infection rates.
Neighbourhoods
Todays blip has caused some neighbourhoods to move between blocks but no significant effect.
Haxby, which was for a time the area with the largest number of infections, now has fewer than three cases.
Vaccinations
Testing
4,445 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 13th February.
Of these, 4.5% produced positive results.
The positivity rate continues to fall.
878 lateral flow tests were conducted on 17th February
Hospitals
The York Hospital Trust is now caring for 96 Coronavirus patients. This is down from a peak of 242 seen at the end of January
COVID-19 antibodies
According to the latest government figures issued today the number of people tested who have coronavirus anti bodies in the system has increased to 18.5%. (5th January – 1st February 2021)
When the tests started last April, only 7.5% recorded anti bodies.
Infections
Imperial College London’s React study, which tested more than 85,000 people in England between February 4 and 13, suggests infections have dropped to just one in 200 people.
The study suggested infections are halving every 15 days, and the R number – which expresses how many people the average infected individual spreads the virus to – is at 0.72.
Spike in deaths reported at York hospital with EIGHT fatalities announced today. Two occurred on Saturday and six on Sunday. Brings the cumulative total number of fatalities since 1st September up to 335.
Test results
TWELVE positive test results announced today. Brings total up to 11,605
Rate /100k population figure has fallen to 92.11
Infection rates are continuing to fall at all levels but more slowly at the Yorkshire regional level than elsewhere.
Neighbourhoods
For the first time since 14th December 2020 two neighbourhoods both have fewer than 3 cases. They are South Bank/Dringhouses and Bishopthorpe/Copmanthorpe
Overall the number of cases in the City has fallen below 200 for the first time this year,
Tests
4582 PCR tests were conducted in the City during the week ending 11th February.
Of these, 4.7% produced a positive result. The positivity rate in the City continues to fall.
994 lateral flow tests were also conducted on 15th February
Hospitals
The number of COVID-19 hospital patients has fallen to 96 according to the York Hospital Trust.
10 patients are in intensive care.
Vaccinations
York’s pharmacy group Citywide Health is opening a Covid vaccination service at 6 Wyre Court, which is opposite Haxby Pharmacy. Invitations for the clinics will be sent out nationally by the NHS, giving access to the booking system. It will vaccinate 1,000 patients every week after its launch on 25 February
It is hoped that Citywide Health will roll out the service to all its pharmacies in York in the coming months. More
Older peoples jabs
Residents of the council’s independent living communities have been provided with Covid-19 vaccines in the comfort of their own home.
Lincoln Court
To support the NHS’s vaccine rollout to older residents, the council has been working with a local consortium of 11 GP practices in York, Nimbuscare, to deliver this service.
In late January, 340 people across the council’s 11 independent living communities (ILCs) were vaccinated. Staff from the council and Nimbuscare ensured the vaccines were given in covid-safe conditions either in their ILC’s communal area or in their own home. Staff who work at the ILCs were also vaccinated.
Cllr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said:
“Older and less mobile residents have welcomed this on-site service, which meant they did not have to leave their community to get the vaccine. This supported them to stay at home and stay safe during lockdown and avoided them having to go out in the very cold weather.
“This partnership has meant more people are benefitting from the vaccine more quickly. I’d like to thank teams from Nimbuscare and the ILCs who worked very well together to co-ordinate this operation.”
Prof Mike Holmes, Nimbuscare clinical lead, said:
“The team at Nimbuscare were pleased to offer Covid vaccines to people as part of our city-wide vaccination service. It’s really important that people over 70 who cannot get to the vaccination centre are protected and our vaccinators were happy to help by going out to people in their homes.
“We believe that by working collaboratively we can offer a better service for the people of York. Nobody will miss out and we are working really hard to make sure that we offer everyone a vaccine in order of the national priority groups.”
Dr Nigel Wells, a local GP and Clinical Chair at NHS Vale of York CCG said:
“This is another great example of organisations coming together and working innovatively to reach out to patients in what has been the busiest ever period in the history of the NHS.”
Questions answered
York Council session. Tomorrow. Ask questions live or email them in advance to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk
One additional hospital death announced today. It occurred on Thursday
Test results
TWENTY THREE additional positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative number of cases in the City to 11,542.
Rate /100k population figure has reduced to 109.68
The infection rate in York continues to fall more quickly than in other parts of the country
Neighbourhoods
For the first time since 16th December a neighbourhood (South Bank/Dringhouses) in York has recorded fewer than 3 infections.
The area with the highest number of cases in now Osbaldwick
Vaccinations
Over 2 million vaccinations have now been completed in the Yorkshire region
Hospitals
There are currently 133 COVID-19 patients being treated by the York Hospital Trust.
15 patients are in intensive care
Tests
4967 PCR coronavirus test were conducted during the week ending 8th February.
The positivity rate was 5.2%
1074 lateral flow tests were conducted on 12th February
York families urged to ‘stay safe’ this half term
York’s public health chiefs are urging residents to ‘stay safe’ over the coming week, as children and young people across the city start their half term holidays.
The week will mark a welcome break for many parents and carers who have been home schooling, but also presents extra challenges in keeping children entertained within the lockdown restrictions. The break comes as York’s seven day rate continues to fall:
The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 31.1.21 to 6.2.21 was 134.8.
York is currently ranked 25th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in England with a rank of 1, indicating the lowest 7 day rate.
As at 8.2.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 5.4%. The national and regional averages are 7.1% and 7.6% respectively.
As at 10.2.21, 45,596 CYC residents have received the first dose and 1,049 had received both doses.
Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:
I know that many parents and carers will be glad of a break this week after their hard work homeschooling over the last half term.
“There are lots of activities that parents can do to keep their children active over the holiday period, but it’s vitally important that we all continue to follow the current national restrictions. The efforts we are all making a real difference, however we still need to keep going.
“With vaccinations continuing to be carried out at pace in York, there is light at the end of the tunnel and we must all keep up our efforts to fight the spread of the virus.”
Thousands of frontline workers are continuing to support York’s efforts against the virus by getting regular symptom free testing.
The city now has three sites offering the testing to residents, workers, students and staff who are eligible. More information about symptom free testing is available online.
York residents aged 70 or over who haven’t yet received their covid-19 vaccination can also now support the city’s fight against covid-19 by arranging a vaccination appointment.
Until now, the NHS asked people not to contact them about their COVID vaccination and wait until they are approached. This remains the case for most people, but local NHS services are encouraging people in priority cohorts 1-4 (over 70s and those on the shielded patient list) to contact the NHS to book their appointment to ensure everyone in this group is offered the vaccine by mid-February.
Eligible residents can book their appointment by contacting the national booking service online. Those who cannot do it online can call a free 119 number, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. The national system allows patients to pick a convenient location and time.
Sharon Stoltz, City of York Council’s Director of Public Health, said:
I would urge anyone aged 70 or over who hasn’t yet had their vaccination to make an appointment through the national booking service.
“The uptake of the vaccine so far in the city has been fantastic and making sure as many York residents as possible are vaccinated is one way we can continue to fight the virus and support our local NHS services.
“If you aren’t in one of the priority groups, please wait to be contacted, everyone will get the chance to book an appointment at the right time.
“We can all work together too by looking out for family and friends, particularly during this cold weather, and following the basic rules of regular hand washing, wearing of face coverings in public spaces when 2 metre social distancing is not possible and isolating at home if you have symptoms or have been asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace or our local contact tracing service.
“Whilst the fall in cases is encouraging we can’t let our guard down yet. There are still more people in hospital than the first peak and sadly we have seen a number of deaths in recent weeks.
“This virus isn’t relenting but our efforts and the incredible vaccine rollout is helping to stop the spread and offer real hope that things will get better. Thank you to everyone for their efforts, let’s keep going.”
The council’s Coronavirus helpline offers support including with food, essentials or someone to speak to. Anyone needing help can call 01904 551550 or email COVID19help@york.gov.uk.
There are lots of school holiday ideas and resources available online. Check out York Mumblerand Little Vikings for local resources.
TWO additional hospital deaths have been announced today. One occurred yesterday and one on Tuesday.
The average daily number of deaths being recorded at the York and Scarborough hospitals was as high 5.6 as recently as 21st January.
That figure has now fallen to 2.7 and continues to decline.
Hospitals
128 COVID-19 patients are currently being treated by the York Hospital Trust. That represents a considerable reduction on the numbers seen last month when cases soared to over 200.
There are 16 patients in intensive care.
1863 COVID patients have been treated and discharged from the hospitals since the start of the pandemic last year.
Tests
5231 PCR tests were conducted in York during the week ending 6th February.
5.9% of the test were positive. This represents a fall compared to yesterdays figure
1526 lateral flow tests were also conducted on 10th February
Test results
TWENTY FIVE additional positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 11,488
The rate per 100k population figure has fallen to 134.85. It is still trending to go below the 100 case benchmark next week.
Neighbourhoods
South Bank and Dringhouses has now fallen below the 50 case threshold (meaning it has a very low infection rate).
The highest level can be found in New Earswick where the rate has crept up to 312.9
The rate across England has now fallen below 200.
Trends at neighbourhood during wave three
Vaccinations
The vaccination centre is now moving on to inoculate those aged between 65 and 70.
Anyone who has not been called in and who is aged over 70 is urged to book an appointment now.
