Scarborough borough infection rate rises as new national lockdown starts

The borough is averaging more than 54 cases every 24 hours as its seven day infection rate per 100,000 people has gone up to 349 having stood at 320 yesterday.

Last night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new national lockdown that will last until at least late February

Primary and secondary schools will close to all except for vulnerable children and the children of key workers with many shops and personal services such as hairdressers being forced to shut their doors.

People are now being told that the must stay home unless it is to go to a job that they cannot do from their own house, to buy essential foods or medicine, to provide care to a vulnerable person, to flee domestic violence or harm or to exercise locally.

Speaking to the nation via a televised address Mr Johnson informed the public that the new strain of the virus was spreading quickly across the country.

He said: “In England alone, the number of Covid patients in hospitals has increased by nearly a third in the last week, to almost 27,000.

“That number is 40% higher than the first peak in April.

“On 29 December, more than 80,000 people tested positive for Covid across the UK – a new record.

“The number of deaths is up by 20 per cent over the last week and will sadly rise further.”

The figure is below the average for England (517) but is above the average for the county (319).

Richmondshire has the highest rate in North Yorkshire at 411 cases per 100,000 people.

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.