Positive Covid-19 tests highest since mid-March in Richmondshire

A lateral flow Covid-19 test. Photo: Gov.uk

Coronavirus rates across North Yorkshire — including Richmondshire — are continuing to rise.

More new cases are being recorded across the county every day as the average seven-day rate for North Yorkshire has increased from 52 per 100,000 people on Friday to 71 today.

In Richmondshire, the rate is currently at 92 — the highest since March 16.

There have been 50 new recorded cases in the district in the week to June 17.

In the seven days to June 15, there were 16 positive tests in Catterick Garrison and Colburn, five in Catterick Village and Brompton-on-Swale, three in north Richmondshire and three in the upper Dales.

Elsewhere in the county, Scarborough’s remains the lowest in the county despite rising to 22 from 20.

Selby has the highest rate in North Yorkshire at 136 ahead of Craven on 110.

Ryedale, where the rate had dropped to zero earlier this month is now at 54.

The rate for England as whole is 93.

Last week, North Yorkshire’s director of public health said that the Delta variant of Covid-19, which was first identified in India, is now the dominant strain of coronavirus in North Yorkshire and most cases are among under 30 year olds.

Louise Wallace told a North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum briefing that the variant  was accelerating in most parts of the county and that the strain appeared to be spreading fastest amongst the younger population as she also urged people to take up vaccines which have now been opened up to over 18s.

There is a permanent testing site at Ypres Lines, Richmond Road, Catterick Garrison.

There will also be mobile testing in Leyburn and Richmond this week.

To see the locations and to book a test, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/book-coronavirus-covid-19-test

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