THREE (3) additional hospital deaths announced today. One occurred on 25th and two yesterday. Brings the cumulative death toll at the York and Scarborough hospitals since 1st September to 148.
FIFTY FOUR (54) additional positive test results announced today. That brings the cumulative total to 6,668
Rate/100k population figure is 196.1 and is set to rise to 240.3.
One neighbourhood has climbed above the 400 case threshold (Poppleton).
We are entering a period where the number of tests carried out will be lower.
NB. The vaccination center on Moor Lane is currently closed for the holiday. No figures have been issued indicating the number of vaccinations which have been completed locally over the last few days.
COVID where next?
The coronavirus infection statistics in York have made depressing reading over the last few days. The rate per head of population spiraled up to reach 234.6 on Christmas Eve. It could be more than that when the final test results are added in.
In effect, the infection level in the City has trebled since “Lockdown 2” ended on 2nd December.
Other Tier 2 areas have also seen rises. Although York is now above the average rate for North Yorkshire it is urban areas like Scarborough which are also worst hit. So far Harrogate has bucked the trend.
So what went wrong?
Many areas like Leeds which have T3 restrictions in place have seen a less dramatic increase in infection rates.
York’s Tier 2 restrictions differ from areas like Leeds in two significant ways.
In Tier 3 areas
People are prohibited from socialising with anybody they do not live with &
Pubs and bars are only permitted to remain open to operate as restaurants
The virus seems to cycle through all neighbourhoods. Rates are on the increase across most of the City.
Trends at neighbourhood level in York
It seems likely that York will become a Tier 3 area sometime during the next few days. It may subsequently be added to the Tier 4 restrictions area – effectively reintroducing lockdown.
There have been no further deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today
An unwelcome milestone has been passed with over 6000 positive test results now recorded in the City. Today THIRTY THREE (33) additional infections were announced bringing the cumulative total to 6005.
The projected rate /100k population for Tuesday 15th December is 78.3. That would be the highest since lockdown was relaxed on 2nd.
There is now an urgent need for a fresh statement from local Public Health officials. The spike may be influenced by increased testing using the “lateral flow” system. If so, then an analysis of the source of the “positives” is required.
If not, then the characteristics of any “contact” chains needs to be explored and publicised more fully.
The neighbourhood figures for 11th December (pre expected spike) show three areas with less than 3 cases. In two there were zero infections.
While case numbers are fairly static at regional level (prior to the expected Christmas spike) at national level infection rates are already increasing.
No change to Tier 2 restrictions in York
York and the rest of North Yorkshire will continue with Tier 2 level restrictions at least until the new year. The announcement was made by the government today. It comes as little surprise given the increases in infection rates in the City over the last few days.
According to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, York will need to have less than 45 cases /100k population before it will be considered for Tier 1 restrictions. Currently York has a case rate of 69.3 (and rising).
There has been a big jump in the number of COVID deaths announced today. EIGHT new fatalities have been announced by the York Hospital Trust. Two occurred yesterday, four on Tuesday and two on Monday.
The cumulative total second wave death toll at the York and Scarborough hospitals has now reached 74
TWENTY NINE(29) additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total to 5576
It appears that the threshold used by the government, to determine whether an area could be given a Tier 1 classification, was that the location must have fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 head of population. Very few areas met this criteria (Cornwall, Isle of Wight).
On the last validated numbers (21st Nov) York had 132.47 cases per 100k population.
On the present downward trajectory, York would pass below 100 cases threshold before the next review date. This is expected to be 10th December with any changes in classification effective from 16th December.
During the week ending 19th November, 3530 P2 tests were carried out in York. Of these, 8.6% proved to be positive.
This was a lower positivity rate than was seen during the previous week
Neighbourhood data has now been published. There is little change from yesterday.
We have reordered the table to reflect the cases per 100k of population rate.
This is one of the the figures that the government used to determine which Tier an area was allocated into.
Essentially the City needs to have a rate below 100 to be considered for Tier1 by 10th December.
Two neighbourhoods. Heslington and Clifton Without, are well above this rate at present.
The colour coding now reflects the central government’s presentation key
Tier 2 for York
York has been placed back into Tier 2 restrictions by the government. The new arrangements start on Tuesday.
The main impact is on pubs which will have to serve meals if they are to open while households will not be able to mix indoors.
All shops, hairdressers etc will still reopen from Tuesday.
The situation will be reviewed after a fortnight and may be changed again before Christmas
Outdoor events will be limited to 2000 spectators.
This will affect York City FC who were hoping to move into the new Community Stadium at Monks Cross.
However work at the stadium is still underway today with no sign of completion in sight. The Club may look to reopen Bootham Crescent. Social distancing at an all seater stadium would be easier to manage.
An update from the York Council on the stadium situation is long overdue.
Work on the new Community Stadium at Monks Cross is far from complete.
It looks like high case rates in Scarborough may have contributed to York being placed in Tier 2 restrictions. There may be concerns about capacity at the York Hospital Trust which is also responsible for care in Scarborough. More details are available by clicking here
West and South Yorkshire have been placed into the highest TIER 3 category. This includes additional restrictions on travel to, and from, the areas.
R growth rates government informationMap of tier boudaries
COVID Winter Grant Scheme for the needy
The York Council will consider next week how it is to allocate the, government funded, Winter Grant scheme.
On Sunday 8 November 2020, the government announced a package of extra targeted financial support for those in need over the winter period. The COVID Winter Grant Scheme will see new funding issued to councils to support those most in need with the cost of food, energy and water bills and other associated costs.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will provide funding to the council, who will administer the scheme and provide direct assistance to vulnerable households and families with children particularly affected by the pandemic.
This will include some families who normally have access to Free School Meals (FSM) during term time.
The funding allocation for York is £416,729.
Around £200,000 of the fund is set to be used to provide meals for needy children during the Christmas and Easter school holidays (i.e. those who would normally quality for Free School Meals)
Click to access
There are already many local schemes operating which provide support to local people hit by te pandemic. These include surplus food giveaways
Another York Hospital Trust death was announced today
There were 71 (SEVENTY ONE) additional positive test results announced today. This brings the total to 2399. 1424 of these have occurred since the start of the second wave of infections on 1st September.
The highest rate per 100,000 head of population happened on Monday when the figure reached 274.44
The worst affected neighbourhood is Heslington/University which has had 119 positive test results during the last 7 days.
The least affected area has been Bishopthorpe/Copmanthorpe with 7 cases.
The government has published updated test and trace stats covering the period between 30th September and 7th October. Nearly 1 in 5 of the people who were tested in York were found to have the virus. The positivity rate is continuing to increase.
The government claims that it has traced 67% of contacts in the City since test & trace started in May. The York Council has announced plans to set up its own contact tracing service. It is expected to be operational next week.
York subject to Tier 2 restrictions
The City is to be added to the areas with “Tier 2” restrictions. Given the recent increase in case numbers in parts of the City, the decision is not unexpected.
The restrictions are effective from 00:01 this Saturday morning
Tier 2 restrictions will mean
All businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a Covid-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law, such as nightclubs and adult entertainment venues
Certain businesses selling food or drink on their premises are required to close between 10pm and 5am. Businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-thru
Schools, universities and places of worship remain open
Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees
Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can continue to take place, provided the Rule of Six is followed
The “Rule of Six” will continue to apply outdoors and in private gardens
People must not meet with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible. If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport
Some may feel that the move comes too late and should include further restrictions on travel, the closure of more leisure venues, schools returning to the arrangements seen in the Spring with other educational facilities being quarantined.
