Drop in Covid cases and infection rate in Scarborough borough, as Whitby's town council blames visitors for spread

That is down from the 103 added this time last week.

Scarborough’s infection rate per 100,000 population on a seven-day average has now dropped to 526 having stood at 577 yesterday.

At its peak, so far, the infection rate last weak reached 584, which moved the borough into the top 10 areas in England with the highest rates.

Scarborough is also now well ahead of every other North Yorkshire district and also the average for England, which is 270.

The borough’s overall total number of cases since the start of the pandemic is now 2.401.

On Friday, the leader and chief executive of Scarborough Borough Council urged people not to travel to the borough.

Yesterday, Whitby Town Council blamed the rise in numbers in the north of the borough on tourists.

A statement released on the authority’s website stated: “The local rate has been climbing steadily since the massive influx of visitors at the end of October.

“The new national lockdown has continued to promote beach visits as exercise, but not to encourage people to exercise as close to home as they can.”

Mobile testing sites will be visiting the borough this week.

It will be at Filey Country Park today, Scarborough’s Seamer Road park and ride site tomorrow and Whitby’s park and ride site in Guisborough Road on Thursday.

You can book a test at a mobile site HERE.

Scarborough’s walk-in testing site at the William Street Coach Park is also open seven days a week from 8am until 8pm.

Anyone who is showing coronavirus symptoms should register for a test on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

People who do not have access to the internet, or who have difficulty with the digital portals, can ring the 119 service to book.

Tests can be booked at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.