Scarborough borough's Covid infection rate the lowest for 6 weeks 'but we're not yet at the peak of hospital admissions'

The borough’s seven-day infection rate per 100,000 people in Scarborough now stands at 178, down from 224 yesterday.

It is the lowest level for the borough since December 12, though Scarborough is still averaging 28 new cases every day.

Earlier this week Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, warned that even though cases were coming down there was still pressures on the local NHS.

Mr Flinton said: “The figures are volatile and the clear message from the NHS in York and North Yorkshire is that we are not yet at the peak for hospital admissions.

“I have mentioned before that there is a lag of 10 to 14 days, more in some cases, between someone testing positive for Covid and that person requiring hospital care, if they develop the more serious symptoms.”

Last night, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced increased fines of £800 per person for people found at house parties with 15 or more guests.

The news comes as Scarborough remains the area in North Yorkshire with the most fines handed out since the start of the third lockdown.

Figures released this week show that 57 notices were issued in the last week, 47 of which were to residents of the borough and 10 to visitors.

North Yorkshire Police said there had been more than 40 illegal gatherings since January 6.

Of the 241 fines issued since the start of the lockdown in North Yorkshire, 106 of them have been in Scarborough.

Earlier this month, Superintendent Mike Walker, North Yorkshire Police’s lead for its Covid response, said a minority of people were putting “birthday parties” above following the guidance.

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

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