Covid cases in Harrogate district continue to rise as nation enters lockdown
A total of 88 people have died in Harrogate District Hospital after testing positive for covid-19
Coronavirus infection rates in Harrogate continue to rise steadily – and remain the highest in North Yorkshire and above the national average.
Central Harrogate, Hookstone and Knaresborough North have seen the highest number of new Covid-19 cases in the past seven days – while other wards in the borough have remained roughly stable over the same period.
The borough’s overall weekly infection rate is 252 cases per 100,000 people – a figure which has been rising steadily since September.
It remains above the national average (228) and surrounding areas including Selby (240), Hambleton (218) and Scarborough (184).
The rate in Harrogate equates to around 58 new cases per day.
In the last seven days, more than 400 new cases have been recorded.
Coronavirus admissions to Harrogate District Hospital have remained stable in recent weeks – although the picture across North Yorkshire is changing.
Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for North Yorkshire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, told a briefing said: “In Harrogate, the number of Covid patients in hospital are fairly static with 15 as of yesterday, which is a decrease of one from the previous week.
“On the York hospital site there are currently 41 patients which is an increase of 11 from last week.
“On the Scarborough site, however, we have got 32 patients which is an increase of 31 from last week.”
It comes as England has today entered a full national lockdown and will remain under tight restrictions for at least the next month.
It is hoped the strict measures will bring infection rates down far enough so the economy can be reopened ahead of Christmas.
Richard Flinton, chairman of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (NYLRF) Chair, said everybody had a part to play and urged people to support local businesses through the lockdown.
He said: “Let’s help our local firms and each other and keep up a positive attitude to get through this next lockdown.
“Everyone has done well to prevent and contain the virus locally but we are now at a tipping point.
“As well as being important for business, it is crucial for people who live in care and for all of us who use the NHS.
“We want to protect people in care homes from the virus and, also, to ensure they can see their loved ones; and we want NHS services to be available for people who need other urgent and planned care, aside from treatment for Covid-19.
“Collectively we can make a difference and help bring about considerably reduced rates of coronavirus infection.”
A total of 88 people have died at Harrogate District Hospital after testing positive for the virus.