Coronavirus York updates; 18th March 2021

Deaths

There have been no further hospital deaths announced today

Test Results

Thirteen new positive test results have been recorded today bringing the cumulative total to 12,094.

The number of cases in the City has fallen by 11 from 100 yesterday to 89 today.

The rate /100k population figure has fallen to 42.26. This the lowest figure that we have since 21st September 2020. The rate is expected to fall again tomorrow when it may dip below 40.

Case rates in York have now fallen below those that can be found in North Yorkshire again. Rates at regional and national level are stable

Neighbourhoods

Only one neighbourhood now has an infection rate of over 100 (Strensall)

9 neighbourhoods now have fewer than 3 cases in each. This includes Westfield/Chapelfields/ Foxwood North which has recorded its lowest rate since last summer.

Vaccinations

95% of over 60’s living in York have now been vaccinated. There is little difference in rates at neighbourhood level with the lowest being 80% at Heslington. Fulford and the University (which also now has a very low infection rate).

We understand that the Council will be stepping up its attempts to contact those who have not responded to offers of immunisation jabs.

The inoculators are making good progress with the 50 age groups and seem to be on course to meet their Easter target of offering vaccinations to all over 50’s living in York.

It is thought that vaccination rates for under 50’s may be slower during April as a result of drug shortages.

Hospitals

The number of COVID-19 cases being treated by the York Hospital Trust has fallen to 34. Five are now being treated in intensive care. At its peak, the Trust was treating 242 patients. 2065 patients have been treated and discharged since the start of the pandemic

Tests

4021 PCR test were carried out in York during the week ending 13th March 2021

Of these 1.4% were positive. This represents an improvement on the 1.5% which were positive on the previous day.

4947 “lateral flow” tests were also carried out on 17th March

Police Coronavirus response: No time to let-up as we head towards Easter holidays

Superintendent Mike Walker (pictured below) is leading North Yorkshire Police’s response to the pandemic and he chairs the multi-agency North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum. These are his comments about the past week’s (8-14 March 2021) Covid-19-related issues and the policing arrangements for Easter time…

“Together with our partner agencies and the people of York and North Yorkshire, it is imperative that we maintain the collective effort to reduce the infection rate as low as possible while the vaccination programme is rolled-out across the population.

“We can all see that better times are on the horizon, that’s why we must keep going and not allow all the hard work and sacrifice to be undone through complacency.

“We all must keep adhering to the health protection regulations around travel and gatherings, maintaining social distance, wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport, and keeping our hands as clean as possible.

“From a policing point of view, we will continue to play our part in tackling the public health crisis as we head towards the Easter holidays.

“Each district is on with preparing patrol plans to ensure there are sufficient resources to provide reassurance and continue our ‘4 Es’ approach – to engage with the public, explain the regulations, encourage compliance, and enforce if there is no other way of dealing with breaches.

“The patrol plans will obviously reflect any changes in legislation post 29 March as part of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

“When it is safe to do so, we will welcome visitors to the county again. However, everyone can expect to see an increased policing presence as we work alongside our partners to help keep the virus at bay in the weeks and months ahead.

“Also, we expect normal policing demand to increase as the regulations are further relaxed, therefore North Yorkshire Police will utilise the Government’s surge funding provided to ensure we can respond to the public as they would expect.”

Latest enforcement data

During the past seven days (8-14 March 2021) we have issued 102 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) – the previous week’s total was 210.

This takes the total to 1,662 FPNs during the third lockdown, and 3,555 FPNs since the first lockdown on March 2020.

54 were issued to local people and 48 were issued to visitors
40 issued for being outside place of living
10 for outdoor gatherings
29 for indoor gatherings
2 for obstruct/contravene/fail to close business
20 for gathering of more than 15

Broken down into districts, the number of FPNs issues are as follows:

Craven – 3
Hambleton – 15
Harrogate – 12
Richmond – 2
Ryedale – 5
Scarborough – 50
Selby – 7
York – 8

Notable recent breaches

Scarborough was again the location for the most indoor gatherings with 18 FPNs issued. There were also two separate indoor gatherings in the town over the weekend consisting of more than 15 people – this resulted in 20 FPNs being issued. One occurred at a flat on Pavilion Square following a report of a party at 10.45pm on Saturday (13 March).

Just after 5pm on Saturday, an online report was made to the police that a group of men from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, were drinking together in a hot tub at a lodge in the York area. When officers arrived they initially claimed they were work colleagues staying together in digs, but this proved not to be the case and the five men were issued with FPNs.

At 4.50am on Monday (15 March), a VW Polo car was stopped by officers as it was travelling east on the A64 at Bilbrough. The four occupants from Leeds, two men and two women aged in their late teens and early 20s, states that they were going somewhere to watch the sun rise. They each headed home with FPNs for being outside their place of living.

Also, for being outside their place of living, two men from Hessle, Hull, were issued with FPNs when police spotted their car at the St James Retail Park at Knaresborough at 12.45am on Monday (15 March). They said they were out for a drive to get a McDonald’s meal.

Coronavirus York updates; 16th March 2021

Deaths

The latest ONS figures for the week ending 5th March confirm that 4 York residents died of coronavirus. Two died in hospital, one at home and one in a care home. The figure represents a reduction when compared to the six fatalities recorded in the previous week.

In total 368 York residents have now succumbed to the virus

There have been no further deaths reported by the York Hospital Trust today. The last fatality occurred on 7th March.

Test results

Seven positive test results were announced today. The cumulative total is now 12,071

The number of cases in the City has fallen from 111 yesterday to 105 today

The rate /100k population has fallen below the 50 threshold to 49.86. We are expecting the rate to continue to decline this week and that it may fall below 40 by the weekend.

While the infection rate in York has fallen today, the rates at county , regional and national level have edged up

Neighbourhoods

16 of York’s 22 neighbourhoods have infection rates below the national average. Further improvements are expected later in the week

Vaccinations

Officials at the Askham Bar site are now forecasting that all over 50’s will have been offered a COVID vaccination before Easter

Tests

4050 PCR tests were carried out during the week ending 11th March 2021

Of these 1.7% were positive. That is the same figure as the previous day

3406 “lateral flow” tests wee also carried out on 15th March 2921

Hospitals

The York Hospital Trust is now treating 39 COVID cases. Six are in intensive care. In total, since the start of the pandemic, 2062 COVID patients have been treated and discharged

Outbreak Management Board

A meeting of the COVID-19 management board is taking place tomorrow. Copies of the agenda and background papers should be published before the meeting starts. https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=12423

Coronavirus York updates; 15th March 2021

Deaths

Another day without a hospital death. The last, reported by the York Hospital Trust, occurred on 7th March 2021

Test Results

Twelve positive test results announced today. This brings the total number of infections to 12,064.

The number of cases in the City has remained at 111. There is now a reasonable expectation that the number of cases will fall by around six when tomorrows figures are released.

The rate /100k population has remained steady today at 52.7. The rate is expected to fall below 45 before the end of the week.

There has been an increase in infection rates at both county (North Yorkshire) and regional (Yorkshire) level today. The national figure has remained stable.

Neighbourhoods

There have been no significant changes at neighbourhood level today.

Vaccinations

Tests

4082 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 10th March 2021.

Of these, 1.7% were positive – the same proportion as the previous day.

In addition, 4515 “lateral flow” tests were carried out on 14th March

Coronavirus York updates; 14th March 2021

Deaths

No further hospital deaths today. It is now a week since the last fatality was announced by the York Hospital Trust. It looks like the vaccination programme is producing the desired outcomes.

Test Results

Only 4 positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 12,052

It will be a few days before this reduction works itself into the confirmed weekly figures.

The number of cases in the week ending 9th March was 111. That is up by 3 from the 108 recorded the previous day.

The rate /100k population figure is 52.7. It should fall below 50 on Tuesday.

Neighbourhoods

As well as the small increase in cases in York, there have been similar minor hikes in North Yorkshire and in the region generally.

The largest number of infections (12) can now be found in Woodthorpe/Acomb Park/Foxwood South. Rates in New Earswick and Strensall are beginning to fall again.

Five neighbourhoods have fewer than 3 cases in each.

Vaccinations

There were a record number of vaccinations completed at both regional and national level yesterday

Tests

4076 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 9th March 2021

Of these, 1.7% were positive. This is the same proportion as the previous day.

1361 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 13th March.

Coronavirus York updates; 13th March 2021

Deaths

There have been no further hospital deaths announced today. The last fatality at the York Hospital Trust occurred on 7th March.

Test results

Eleven positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total up to 12,048

The number of cases in the City has fallen by 2 from yesterday’s 110 to 108 today.

The rate /110k population figure has fallen slightly to 51.28, It is expected to be stable at around 53 for the next two days before possibly resuming a downward trend around the middle of next week.

Case numbers are stable at county, regional and national level. This suggests that the return to school may have inhibited a further reduction in infection rates.

Neighbourhoods

It is a mixed picture at neighbourhood level, with the largest increase in case numbers (4) being seen in the Woodthorpe/Acomb Park/Foxwood South neighbourhood.

On the other hand, 2 neighbourhoods now have no cases.

Vaccinations

Tests

4160 PCR test were carried out in York during the week ending 8th March.

Of these, 1.7% were positive. This is a reduction on the previous days figure of 1.9%

2677 lateral flow tests were also carried out on 12th March 2021

Infections in school children

The Council has issued a statement (see below) saying that 15,000 COVID tests were carried out on York school pupils between 1st and 7th March.

Subsequently 97% of children returned to school.

The media release doesn’t say how many tests were positive but a separate report published yesterday says

“in the 7 days up to 8.3.21 there were 34 children of primary and secondary school age who tested positive.

Widespread testing of secondary school aged children took place prior to the return to school on March 8th.

The majority of children who tested positive were of secondary school age and were picked up as asymptomatic cases through this testing programme“.

34 cases (31%) will have had an impact on the total number of positive test results seen during that period (110).

It may help to explain the recent spike in infection numbers.

The number of cases in the City (7 day rolling average) increased from 96 on the 3rd March to 110 on the 7th March.

The information does emphasise the need for people to take regular COVID tests.

The authorities are under pressure to ensure that anyone planning to reopen their business in April should ensure that all staff are tested on a regular basis.

Council statement

“York’s education leaders have thanked parents and pupils for their support in getting all children an young people back to school and college on Monday (8 March).

With one in three people with CPVID not showing any symptoms, all secondary school pupils were advised to get symptom free tests before returning to school.

Just under 15,000 tests were carried out for school pupils in York last week (1-7 March), showing the city’s incredible support for testing.

Attendance in York schools has also been incredibly high, with 97% of all pupils attending on Monday.

Cllr Keith Orrell, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

I know how hard the last few months have been for children, young people and parents and carers, and I’m delighted that our schools and colleges are once again open to all pupils, supporting their social, wellbeing and educational needs.

“Symptom free testing is one of the key ways we can reduce the spread of the virus in the city and I’m so pleased that parents and pupils have supported the testing programme in such large numbers. It really will help us to keep schools and colleges open.

“I also want to thank everyone in schools and the education and health teams who have worked hard to ensure the systems were in place to allow pupils to access the tests they needed. This has been a huge effort and I am grateful to everyone involved for making sure this happened on time for schools to open for all students on Monday.

“I would urge pupils to continue to get their symptom free tests as home testing kits become available next week.”

Coronavirus York updates; 12th March 2021

Deaths

There have been no further hospital deaths today. The last fatality announced by the York Hospital Trust occurred on 7th March.

Test Results

Eight new positive test results announced today. That is the lowest single day announcement for 6 months.

The number of infections (7 day moving average) has increased by 7; up from 103 yesterday to 110 today

The rate /100k population has increased (as forecast) to 52.23 today. It is expected to remain stable at around that figure for the next 3 days at least.

Although it is disappointing that there has been no sustained reduction in case numbers this week, we have so far avoided the steep increase in infection levels seen when Lockdown 2 ended in December.

Neighbourhoods

Something of a surge today in case numbers in Strensall (+4). That area has tended to be quite volatile

There has been little change in infection rates at county, regional or national level today

Vaccinations

Vaccinations by neighbourhood

Tests

4207 PCR tests were carried out in York during the week ending 7th March 2021.

The proportion that were positive was 1.9%. That represents a small increase on the 1.8% recorded the previous day.

3259 “lateral flow” tests were also carried out on 11th March

Council commentary

The York Council has updated its commentary on the pandemic. It is reproduced below

The data is accurate as at 8.00 a.m. on Friday 12.03.21. Some narrative for the data covering the latest period is provided here below:

People with Covid Symptoms

• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 8.3.21 there had been 74 total covid triages in the CYC area in the last 7 days. The peak number of triages was 653 in the 7 day period to 20.9.20.

• As at 11.3.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 85.5 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 4,502 people). The peak rate was 1,283 on 7.1.21.

Diagnosed cases

• As at 11.3.21 York has had 12,029 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 5,711 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (6,598) and regional (6,624) averages.

• The PHE ‘Exceedance’ rating compares the no. of new cases over a 14 day period with the previous 6 weeks and provides a RAG rating to indicate if the previously observed trend in the no. of new cases is worsening. The latest rating for York (8.3.21) is Green.

• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 3.3.21 to 9.3.21 in York is 52.7 (using data published on Gov.uk on 11.3.21).

• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 28.2.21 to 6.3.21 was 48.9. The national and regional averages at this date were 60.3 and 100 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 11.3.21).

• York is currently ranked 63rd out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in England with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.

• For the 7 day period 27.2.21.to 5.3.21, 2 wards in York (Dringhouses & Woodthorpe and Hull Road) have seen a statistically significant fall in rates compared with the 7 day period 20.2.21 to 26.2.21. For the remaining wards there has been no statistically significant change in rates. No wards have seen a significant rise in rates.

• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 28.2.21 to 6.3.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 22.2. The national and regional averages were 35.2 and 52.9 respectively.

• As at 8.3.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 1.82%. The national and regional averages are 2.7% and 4.7% respectively.

• As at 8.3.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 0.22%. The national and regional averages are 0.1% and 0.2% respectively.

• As at 9.3.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 tests only) was 1.2%. The national average is 1.8%.

• As at 11.3.21 York University reported 6 individuals within the University community who were currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. The peak number was 331 on the 19.10.20.

• As at 1.3.21 York St. John reported 3 individuals within the University community who was currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. The peak number was 82 on the 8.10.20.

Contact Tracing

• Since 28.5.20 a total of 11,166 confirmed CYC Covid cases have been uploaded into the NHS Test and Trace system and 10,064 of the cases have been completed (90.1%). 25,923 ‘contacts’ have been identified and 19,627 of these have been completed (75.7%). Source: PHE Report.

• Local Tracing of Cases: Between 22.10.20 and 5.3.21, 953 referrals had been actioned by the local contact tracing service. Of the referrals actioned, 611 (64.1%) were successful and 342 (35.9%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible.

Cases in Residential Care Settings

• As at 11.3.21 there were 2 care homes in the CYC area with confirmed Covid-19 infection (at least 1 case of either a staff member or resident).

• The latest ‘outbreak’ (2+ cases) in a residential care setting in York was reported by PHE on 25.2.21 (1 home).

Cases amongst School Aged Children

• In the 7 days up to 8.3.21 there were 34 children of primary and secondary school age who tested positive. Widespread testing of secondary school aged children took place prior to the return to school on March 8th. The majority of children who tested positive were of secondary school age and were picked up as asymptomatic cases through this testing programme.

COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital

• As at 10.3.21 there were 26 confirmed Covid-19 patients in General and Acute beds. The peak number was 157 on 19.1.21.

• As at 10.3.21 there were 7 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 0 suspected Covid-19 patient in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The peak number for people in ITU was 19 on 10.5.20.

• As at 10.3.21 there had been 0 patients admitted with suspected Covid-19 and 0 with confirmed Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours.

• As at 10.3.21 there had been 3 confirmed patients discharged with COVID-19 in last 24 hours.

Covid Patients (CYC Residents) discharged from York Hospital

• Between 1.3.21 and 7.3.21, 16 CYC residents were discharged from York hospital after needing NHS care for symptoms linked to covid-19 infection.

R Number

• The ‘R’ value (the number of people that one infected person will pass on a virus to, on average) for the North East and Yorkshire area on 5.3.21 was estimated to be in the range 0.7 to 1.0. The previous estimate was (0.7 to 0.9) on 26.2.21.

Total Vaccinations

• As at 10.3.21 70,334 CYC residents had received the first dose and 3,402 had received both doses. 33.4% of the total estimated population of York (210,618*) had therefore received the first dose.

• As at 10.3.21 19.58M In people in England had received the first dose and 0.93M had received both doses. 34.8% of the total estimated population of England (56,286,961*) had therefore received the first dose.

*using Mid-Year 2019 population estimates

Deaths

The two sources about deaths from Covid-19 at LA level are ONS data and local registrar data. They are derived from the same source (civil registration data). ONS data is more comprehensive as it includes deaths of York residents which have occurred and been registered outside York. Local registrar data is useful as it enables a breakdown by age and gender. The most recently available data is summarised below:

• ONS weekly data: In the most recent period (Week 8: 19.2.21 to 26.2.21) 6 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (3 in hospital, 2 in a care home and 1 in a hospice). In weeks 5, 6 and 7 there had been 18, 11 and 19 deaths respectively.

• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 26th February 2021 and registered up to 6th March 2021, 374 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (218 in hospital, 128 in care homes, 20 at home and 8 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 177.6 which is lower than the national average of 220.0

• Local Registrar data (Cumulative): Since the start of the pandemic (using data for deaths occurring up to 3.3.21), a cumulative total of 360 deaths of CYC residents where COVID-19 was mentioned (confirmed or suspected) on the death certificate, have been registered. The average age of the people who died was 82.3, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of those dying in York is older than the national average (80.3% of those who died in York were aged 75+ compared with 73.5% nationally). 171 of the 360 were male (47.5%), less than the national average (54.3%).

Police enforcement action

North Yorkshire Police have issued their latest COVID-19 enforcement figures. In York the breeches mainly related to indoor gatherings and unauthorised visitors to the City.

Coronavirus updates York: 11th March 2021

Deaths

There have been no further hospital deaths announced today. There have been no deaths recorded by the York Hospital Trust during the last 3 days.

Test results

Eleven positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative total cases numbers to 12,029

The number of cases in the City has increased by 7 from the 96 recorded yesterday to todays figure of 103.

As forecast, the case rate /100k population figure has started to creep up. It is 48.91 today and could go as high as 53 by Sunday.

The spike in numbers is not as pronounced as was seen when lockdown 2 ended in December.

Vaccinations

Tests

4184 PCR tests were conducted in York during the week ending 6th March

Of these 1.8% were positive. That is the same proportion as the previous day

3512 “lateral flow” test were also conducted

Hospitals

41 COVID-19 patients are being cared for by the York Hospital Trust (9/3/21)

Eight are in intensive care

Neighbourhoods

The largest increase in case numbers at neighbourhood level has occurred in New Earswick. The area has gone from having one of the lowest infection rates in the City, to having the highest, in only 3 days

For the first time since last summer, the Fulford/Heslington/University neighbourhood has recorded fewer than 3 cases.

It isn’t just York that is seeing a spike in case numbers. The Yorkshire region has crept back above the 100 case rate threshold. Case numbers in North Yorkshire continue to fall.

York reopening plans

The York Council will discuss next week how the City can be safely “reopened” when lockdown restrictions are further eased.

Currently it is hoped that some relaxations will take place on 29th March when the “rule of 6” or two households outdoors will be allowed, (there will be no household mixing indoors), some outdoor sport and leisure facilities will reopen, organised outdoor sport will be allowed (children and adults) and outdoor parent & child groups (up to 15 parents) may meet (Travel will be “minimised” and there will be no holidays)

Of more impact for the City economy will be the plans for 12th April (earliest) when changes could include;

Indoor leisure (including gyms) open for use individually or within household groups.
Rule of 6 or two households outdoors. No household mixing indoors.
Outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas.
Libraries and community centres.
Personal care premises (e.g. hairdressers).
All retail.
Outdoor hospitality.
All children’s activities, indoor parent & child groups (up to 15 parents).
Domestic overnight stays (household only).
Self-contained accommodation (household only).
Funerals (30), wakes, weddings and receptions (15).

Travel will continue to be “minimised” and there will be no international holidays

In response to the changes outlined in phase two above, the Council is proposing

To provide temporary public toilets in the city centre during the initial stages of lockdown easing should they be required.
Extend the Covid Marshalls until the end of June “to facilitate the Covid-safe management of the city”
Deferral of increased fees for cremations and funeral service recording.

The report goes on to say,

At this stage, it is not recommended that the council commits additional
resource to promoting additional visitors to the city. Given the likelihood of varying rates of infection as a result of wider derestriction, the overarching principle has to be the safety of York’s residents and visitors.

A detailed list of the proposed actions can be read by clicking here

There is a proposal for more “managed open spaces” in the City which include additional seating on Parliament Street together with more “street food”. This could be extended (in May) to the Eye of York, College Green, the Minster school grounds and Tower Gardens.

Coronavirus York updates; 10th March 2021

Deaths

No further hospital deaths have been reported today.

The rolling 7 day average number of deaths at the York Hospital Trust has fallen from a peak of 5.7, seen on 21st January 2021, to 0.4 today.

Test Results

Twenty one additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative case total in the City to 12,018.

The infection rate remains at 45.58. However, judged on the number of cases in the pipeline, there are concerns that the rate will now drift up and exceed 50 again over the weekend.

The number of cases in the City remains at 96 for the third day in a row. We are expecting to see an increase of 7 or 8 cases announced tomorrow.

It is too early for the school return to have caused the adverse trend, although the half term and improved weather last week may have been a factor.

So far, the spike in cases is not as severe as was seen when restrictions were eased in December.

Neighbourhoods

There are no significant changes in the distribution of cases to report today at neighbourhood level..

However, for the first time this year, the rate in Yorkshire overall has fallen below 100.

Tomorrows figures will tell us more about whether the proposed further easing of restrictions is likely to go ahead on 29th March

Tests

4175 PCR tests were carried out in York during the week ending 5th March 2021

The proportion of positive results was 1.8%. That is an improvement on the previous days figure of 2.0%.

2897 “lateral flow” test were also conducted on 9th March.

Vaccinations

Nimbuscare, who are running the Askham Bar vaccination centre, have issued a plea for those who can walk or cycle to the site, to do so

“The Vaccination Centre will be at its absolute busiest over the next few weeks as we step up the NHS vaccination programme even further.

We’ll be carrying out second dose vaccinations, as well as inviting the next group of people – meaning there will be up to 3,000 people at the site each day.

If everyone arrives by car, this would take our car parking up to 97% capacity which is extremely busy.

Please come by bus, bike, or on foot, if you can.

Or you can be safely dropped off for your vaccination in the area close to the site and just enter via the pedestrian and cycle entrance. This is opposite the Tesco supermarket petrol station.

For more information about how to access the site and what to expect, go to this useful video.https://youtu.be/gBWczUx0I0U “

Care homes

Latest guidance shared with city care homes

The City of York Council has shared the latest Government advice with care homes on safely restarting visits while minimising transmission risks when family and friends spend time together.

From the pandemic’s outset, the council has been working closely with care homes and care providers in the city to support the safety of the residents and staff.

Now, as part of the Government’s Roadmap, updated guidance has been shared with care homes, which says:

The registered manager of each care home is responsible for setting the visiting policy and for considering the individual needs of each resident.
Each resident will be able to nominate a single named visitor who can come into the care home if they test negative on every visit, wear the right PPE and follow all infection control measures.
People may wish to hold hands, but bear in mind that any contact increases risk. Physical contact like hugging must not take place.
For some residents, a visit with a greater degree of personal care may be critical for their immediate health and wellbeing. The care home and the family can agree that an ‘essential care giver’ can provide this care.
They will be able to visit more often and have the same testing and PPE arrangements as care home staff.
Outdoor and screened visits are an option for more family members to be involved. Social distancing, PPE and good hand hygiene are still very important.
Visits in exceptional circumstances, such as end of life, should always be supported.
It is essential that visiting is supported by good infection control – this includes social distancing, PPE and hand hygiene while in and around the care home – including during the visit itself.
If there is a COVID-19 outbreak in the care home, unfortunately visiting will have to stop until the outbreak is over. This is to protect vulnerable residents, staff and visitors.

Coronavirus York updates; 9th March 2021

Deaths

Two hospital deaths reported today. One occurred on Sunday. The other occurred on 11th February and is a delayed report.

Updated ONS figures (left) show that there were 6 deaths of York residents from COVID-19 during the week ending 26th February.

This compared to 18 recorded during the previous week.

Three of the fatalities occurred at hospital, two at care homes and one at a hospice.

Test results

Eighteen new positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 11,997.

There are 96 cases in York today, the same as yesterday

The rate /100k population is stable at 45.48 but is expected to creep up towards 50 over the next few days.

Neighbourhoods

Little change today at neighbourhood level.

Only two areas are now above 100 case rate benchmark

Vaccinations

NHS text alerts for life-saving Covid jab

The NHS will begin texting people today inviting them to book their life saving Covid jab, making it quicker and more convenient to get an appointment.

Almost 400,000 people aged 55 and over and 40,000 unpaid carers will be the first to get a text alert inviting them to book a slot as part of the latest development in the NHS vaccination programme, the biggest in NHS history.

The messages will include a web link for those eligible to click and reserve an appointment at one of more than 300 large-scale vaccination centres or pharmacies across England.

Reminders will be sent 2-3 weeks after the original alert to encourage people to get their vaccine if they have not taken up the offer.

Texts will arrive in advance of the standard letter, meaning if the trial is successful the solution could enable the NHS to react faster to changing vaccine supplies and fill appointments quickly.

Some GP-led and hospital vaccination services, which operate their own booking systems, are already using texts for invites.

Introducing them to the national booking service for vaccine centres and pharmacy-led services will help increase uptake of the life-saving jab, particularly as the NHS moves on to younger groups.

Over the weekend and yesterday more than 1.7 million people aged 56 and over were invited to book their vaccine, as the biggest programme in health service history, continues to gather pace. Saturday was the busiest day for the booking service with more than half a million appointments confirmed. Almost nine out of 10 people aged 65 and over already taking up the offer of their first dose.

People will continue to receive letters inviting them to book an appointment as well as a text alert, to ensure that people who don’t have a number registered or need information in different languages or formats don’t miss out.

People should not receive a text message or a letter from the NHS if they have already been vaccinated and this has been recorded. If people cannot or would prefer not to travel to a Vaccination Centre or pharmacy-led site, they can choose to wait to be invited by a local GP-led service.

In some cases text messages have been used by scammers to try to collect personal details from people, get them to ring premium rate numbers or enter their banking details.

The text message will be sent using the Government’s secure Notify service and will show as being sent from ‘NHSvaccine’.

The NHS will never ask for payment or banking details.

Hospitals

York Hospital Trust is treating 54 confirmed and suspected Covid-19 inpatients, which compares with 50 yesterday. Six patients are in intensive care, the same number as yesterday, and a total of 2,038 patients have been discharged

Tests

4048 PCR test were conducted during the week ending 4th March 2021.

Of these 2.0% were positive. That represents an improvement on the previous days figure of 2.1%

3651 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 8th March

COVID marshalls

Support marshalls contribute to falling infection rates

Marshalls support falling infection rates. — Marshalls’ achievements in numbers.

As part of the city’s efforts to lower infection rates, York’s support marshalls have advised over 1,000 groups, removed over 1,000 dropped masks and achieved a near 100% satisfaction rate.

The team of six covid support marshalls is funded by recovery funds, which Executive will be asked to extend from the end of March for a further six months, to help support the city as lockdown restrictions gradually lift.

The team’s proactive and well-received approach includes monitoring areas where people gather, engaging with groups and individuals to remind them of social distancing, and supporting businesses. The marshalls also hygienically dispose of dropped face coverings which could pass on the virus and hand out masks and anti-bacterial gel where needed.

Working with North Yorkshire Police and the York BID rangers, the city’s covid support marshalls have also been able to alert and advise on matters of public safety.

To date, the marshalls have:

advised 1,100 groups of people
supported 775 businesses
handed out PPE to 161 people
picked up 1,062 dropped masks
earned a 98.8% satisfaction rating from people with whom they’ve worked

Coronavirus York updates; 7th March 2021

Deaths

For the third consecutive day there have been no COVID-19 fatalities at the York Hospital Trust. The last death occurred on the 3rd March. The death rate has now fallen to a level last seen in September 2020.

Test results

Seventeen additional positive test results have been announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 11,959.

Case numbers have reduced by 11 from 116 announced yesterday to 105 today

The rate /100k population figure has fallen to 49.86. It is the first time the rate has been below 50 since 23rd September 2020. The rate is now expected to reduce dramatically during the next few days.

Neighbourhoods

Ten neighbourhoods now have fewer than three cases in each. All but four areas are now below average infection levels.

Vaccinations

Tests

4259 PCR tests were carried out during the week ending 2nd March 2021

Of these 2.4% were positive. That is an improvement on the previous days figure of 2.7%

1562 “lateral flow” test were also conducted on 6th March

96 residents were tested at the Thanet Road site last week. It is open again tomorrow and on Tuesday

York schools open to all pupils from tomorrow

Schools in York fully reopen tomorrow (Monday). It is the first easing of lockdown 3 restrictions. More are scheduled to follow over the next 3 months.

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