Coronavirus cases in Harrogate rose by 36 last month - but infection rate remains low

Data from Public Health England shows the district's total number of cases since the pandemic began increased from 697 (6 July) to 733 (7 Aug).

It comes as officials believe the number of people testing positive nationally is "levelling off", after a low in cases at the end of June.

Dr Lincoln Sargaent, North Yorkshire's director of public health, said the county is seeing around 2 to 3 new cases per day.

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The number of people who have died with the virus at Harrogate Hospital remains at 82 - with the last death being reported more than three weeks ago on 15 July.

A further 106 deaths have been reported at Harrogate district care homes, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures which cover up until 24 July.

Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said the rate of coronavirus infections in the county remains low, but he urged the public to be cautions.

"Our Test and Trace team are working regularly with health colleagues to help manage and close down the small number of outbreaks we are seeing and this approach is very effective here", he said.

"However, we must exercise maximum caution because we can see that the virus continues to wreak havoc on communities where it is able to take hold again."

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week said the prevalence of the virus is “likely to be rising” in England as he delayed lifting some lockdown measures.

Meanwhile, fears of a second spike in areas such as Greater Manchester, Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford led to local lockdowns being imposed.

Mr Flinton said: "Sadly, a number of our neighbours in the north of England are back in harsher degrees of lockdown and I am aware that this has resulted in some concern here in North Yorkshire.

"Please don’t forget our future is in our own hands, literally. So, please wash your hands regularly, carry hand sanitiser and stay at least 2 metres from people not in your household where you can."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter