Scarborough borough's coronavirus infection rate drops again as health boss praises vaccine rollout

The borough’s rate per 100,000 people now stands at seven, a drop of two on yesterday and its lowest level since it stood at six on August 31 last year.

Scarborough’s rate remains below the averages for North Yorkshire and England which stand at 11 and 24 respectively.

It means the borough is averaging just eight new cases a week.

In an email to residents last night North Yorkshire County Council chief executive Richard Flinton said that people should take confidence from the vaccine rollout.

He said: “The weather forecasters tell us that warmer weather is finally on its way at the back end of this week so as the Bank Holiday approaches we can look forward to getting out in the sunshine and enjoy society opening up.

“We can all take confidence in the successful rollout of the vaccination programme and news that current Covid-19 vaccines are effective in reducing transmission and preventing serious illness from new variants of concern, such as the one which originated in India.

“Thanks to the heroic efforts of our NHS colleagues and volunteers, 482,000 people across North Yorkshire and York have had their first jab and 312,000 have had their second.

“But while we can be confident we must remain cautious while Covid is still circulating. We know how quickly things can change.”

Mobile testing facilities will be available in Whitby, Scarborough and Filey this weekend for anyone with symptoms to get tested.

To see the locations and to book a test visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/book-coronavirus-covid-19-testWilliam Street Coach Park in Scarborough is also still offering testing seven days a week from 8am until 8pm.

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