Scarborough borough's coronavirus infection rate falls to lowest level in six months

The borough’s seven-day coronavirus infection rate per 100,000 people has fallen to 17, the lowest it has reached since September 2 when it was at 14.

It is a remarkable turnaround for the borough which had the eighth highest rate in England less than two weeks ago when it crept above 50.

Yesterday, it was also confirmed that the number of patients in Scarborough Hospital with Covid-19 had dropped to just four.

In an email to residents last night, North Yorkshire County Council’s chief executive praised the hard work of everyone in the county for keeping infection rates low.

He wrote: “This week has been a critical one in the Government’s road map out of the pandemic.

“On Monday, we saw the easement of some restrictions allowing the reopening of outdoor hospitality, more shops, gyms, hairdressers and beauty therapy businesses and so on.

“As a result, our communities and high streets have blossomed in the spring sunshine.

“It is heart-warming and so welcome to see communities becoming more lively and vibrant again – there is a sense of relief and excitement that we have managed to get to this point.

“It’s an achievement you should all be extremely proud of. Your collective efforts over an extended and most challenging period of time have delivered us some of those freedoms we have missed.

“We can now enjoy the company of others in more outdoors places and shop safely in our high streets. Every day sees more progress in the steps towards recovery and we must continue to nurture this delicate balance. The virus has not gone, but you have played your part in suppressing it.

“So, to everyone who has stuck to the rules, taken up the offer of a vaccination and supported their local businesses during the three lockdowns – North Yorkshire thanks you and your selfless team spirit.”

Mobile testing facilities will be available in Whitby, Scarborough and Filey this week 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-test.

William Street Coach Park in Scarborough is also still offering testing seven days a week from 8am until 8pm.

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