Scarborough borough infection rate dips slightly but cases remain high

The borough’s seven day infection rate per 100,000 people has dropped to 302 from 314 yesterday.

Despite the drop it is still nearly three times the levels of infection the borough was seeing in mid-November.

The average infection rate across North Yorkshire remained static at 435 cases per 100,000 people.

This week, police forces across the country and the Government are urging people to stick to the new lockdown regulations as the new strain of the virus continues to put hospitals under pressure.

Speaking on Friday, North Yorkshire Superintendent Mike Walker, North Yorkshire Police’s lead for its Covid response said people had to stay local.

He said: “From day one of the pandemic, our officers have followed the four e’s approach of engage, explain, encourage, enforce and have applied the legislation fairly and with common sense.

“When engaging with a member of the public, officers will ask the questions we would expect them to ask – why are you travelling? Where are you going? Where have you come from? If the member of the public explains they are taking exercise and live in the local area, this is one of the reasonable excuses for being outside of home and no further action would be taken.

“However, if the officer finds that the individual has travelled multiple miles to exercise and it’s outside of their local area, where there is plenty of provision and open spaces to exercise close to home, the officer has the option to encourage adherence or enforce the regulations dependant on the circumstances,

“It is not reasonable or essential to travel lengthy distances to take daily exercise, when it can be taken from the doorstep. We do not expect people to be travelling multiple miles in a car to take their exercise in North Yorkshire.

“I think we can get sometimes get embroiled in the detail of what we can and can’t do and lose focus on the real reason we are being asked to limit our movement and why the police are enforcing this legislation – to save lives.

“The virus has spread again and our health services are reaching crisis point. If we don’t act now, the consequences are severe for all of us. We all need to stop and consider the implications of our actions and question ourselves before we take a step out of our front doors.

“So before you pick up your car keys, get on your bike, put your trainers or walking boots on, ask yourself – do I need to make that journey? Is there a real need? Is it necessary? Can I change my route or my form of exercise to stay closer to home? Are my actions within the law and also within the spirit of the ‘stay local’ advice? If you can answer those questions honestly and with a clear conscience, then you are acting responsibly.”

Mobile testing sites will be in Whitby, Scarborough and Filey this week for people with coronavirus symptoms to get tested.

To find your nearest test location visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/book-coronavirus-covid-19-testScarborough’s walk-in coronavirus testing site at William Street Coach Park is offering testing seven days a week from 8am until 8pm.

Appointments for all sites must be booked in advance.

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.