Second wave of COVID-19 ‘seeping into North Yorkshire’s communities at an unwelcome rate’
North Yorkshire County Council said that in line with the national picture, there has been an overall increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 across North Yorkshire over the last few weeks. To date, there have been 3,331 cases and the county is seeing about 30 new cases per day. Cases continue to be more prevalent in the younger and working-age populations, with spread linked to extended time spent together within households and social settings.
The council said a “small, but growing” number of care homes now have residents who are testing positive for COVID-19 and that confirmed cases in schools were “relatively low”.
Richard Flinton, Chief Executive of the county council, said: “So, here it is – the anticipated second wave of coronavirus is with us and seeping into our communities at an unwelcome rate. We must all remain in the highest state of alert to prevent it shutting our county down, closing our schools and businesses and taking our freedoms once again.
“In North Yorkshire, we are famous for our straight-talking, no-nonsense approach to life and our hearty welcome to visitors; for our world-famous food and drink, outstanding hospitality offer and inspiring scenery."
With that in mind, I won’t hold back – now is not a moment for stepping around the issue. We must act right now – every one of us – this minute, and every minute to contain it and protect our most frail residents. Please speak to your friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues. Encourage them to adhere strictly to the hand washing, face covering and social distancing measures that we all know work. But they only work if we actually do them in a consistent way.
He also urged people to download the NHS COVID-19 app to help control the spread of coronavirus and protect themselves and their loved ones as infection rates rise.
‘Transfer within households’
The council Chief Executive added: “We are seeing transfer within households from younger people to their parents – some of those parents are inevitably taking the virus unknowingly into their workplaces – some of those workplaces are our care homes.
“Sadly, a small, but growing, number of care homes now have residents who are testing positive for COVID-19. We are all very aware of the cruel nature of COVID and how it targets vulnerable people without pity. Let’s pull together and protect them, protect our freedom, protect our businesses and protect our future together.”
The council says parents in North Yorkshire will now have received information via their school on the steps to take if anyone in their household has suspected COVID-19 or a positive test for the virus. The information contains guidance on how long, and when, pupils or other members of their household need to self-isolate, when to return to school, what to do if your child is a confirmed contact of someone with the virus and other scenarios.
