Craven could join Scarborough and Selby on Government watchlist

In the latest update from North Yorkshire County Council, Chief Executive Richard Flinton said COVID-19 infection rates were continuing to rise across the county despite the “terrific efforts” of many residents.

He said the NHS was reporting an increase in COVID-19 patients in intensive care in hospitals serving North Yorkshire – and “a number” of those have died.

The council has now made available detailed data about local infection rates – click here for more information.

Mr Flinton said:” The England 7-day average rate of infection per 100,000 people is 93.2. North Yorkshire’s is now 91.1. However, in areas such as Craven and particularly around the Skipton and south Craven border, the situation is above that at 136.5.

“We suspect that the continued and worrying rise in cases in this area will result in the district going onto the Government’s watchlist as an area of concern. Scarborough and Selby, which were the first parts of the county to go onto the watchlist, are no longer seeing the highest level of spread.

“It is reasonable to assume that this is due to effective support and interventions by our public health team and wider local resilience forum partners, as well as a really positive and sustained response from residents and businesses there. I thank you for doing the right thing for your friends, family, neighbours and businesses and urge you to keep up that good work."

Infections in school were said to be low, overall attendance in North Yorkshire remaining good. Attendance figures across the county were approximately 92 per cent last week, compared with a national average of 88 per cent.

'Outbreaks and incidents'

Mr Flinton said that across the county, public health staff were dealing with 125 outbreaks and incidents across “a whole range of settings”.

“Where they fall within settings we have direct access to, the outbreak management plans are working very effectively in containing the virus. These include schools, care homes and workplaces. Where containment is far more complex, unfortunately, is also where the most frequent spread is taking place. This is within households and social interactions. We are also seeing infection carried into the county from surrounding areas where the rates are higher.

“Please stay alert to the risks at all times. You may suffer only mild symptoms, but you may unknowingly give it to someone who is much more at risk from the more serious side-effects of COVID. They may become extremely poorly and, in some cases, they may die. Indeed, I am sorry to say that our NHS colleagues are now reporting increasing numbers of COVID patients in intensive care units in hospitals serving North Yorkshire and a number of those people have sadly died.”

‘Break the chain’

Director of Public Health for North Yorkshire, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, said: “As the infection rate rises, the chances of being in contact with someone who is infected are greater and the risks higher.

“It is inevitable that as the infection rate rises we will see infections introduced into communities where there are more vulnerable people, like care homes. We will begin to see more hospitalisation of people with COVID and we will begin to report deaths. York hospital has had its first COVID death for many weeks.

“We must not fall into complacency. We need to contain the infection, otherwise this will translate into more severe illness and death and we will begin to see the same patterns we saw in April.

“So we must carry on with those Hands, Face, Space measures – keeping a two-metre distance when we can, washing our hands, wearing a facemask, even outside when we are in crowded areas. When people are being tested, it is also vitally important that they self-isolate and that they cooperate with the test and trace programme over their contacts."