Scarborough Borough An 'Area Of Focus' Following Rise In Covid-19 Cases

A surge in coronavirus cases in the Borough of Scarborough has resulted in the area being monitored.

The North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum says Whitby's been an infection-rate hotspot in the last fortnight.

It's asking residents across the county to follow the government's rules on Covid-19, after declaring a major incident earlier this week.

Richard Webb, Director of Health and Adult Services at North Yorkshire County Council, said:

"The infection rates are increasing across the county. They're flucutating on a daily basis. We've certainly seen hotspots in Whitby and the surrounding area.

"Certainly we've seen an increase on the coast and that seems to be steadying a bit, but that's an area that we're focussed on.

"We're asking people to follow the rules; so the rule of six, to wear face masks, to wash your hands, to keep your social distance but we want to go a bit beyond that.

"So particularly in areas where we've got a high number of cases, we're saying to people, even if you're outdoors in a crowded area, wear a face mask.

"If you think about the centre of Whitby, where the streets are quite narrow and it can be quite congested as you cross the bridge, then think about wearing a face mask.

"If you have a loved one who's been shielding in the past, then think about being more cautious in where you go and who you make contact with.

"We want to, as usual, protect the NHS, protect people who use care services, keep schools and businesses open but absolutely prevent a second lockdown if we can help it.

"We're seeing what's happening in the North East and other parts of Yorkshire, we'd like to avoid that if at all possible."