Covid: Harrogate infection rate hits seven-month low ahead of economy reopening

The latest data from Public Health England shows the district's average number of daily cases is 2.4, which equates to a weekly infection rate of 10.6 cases per 100,000 people.

It is the first time since the end of August that the numbers have been this low and comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the nation will move to the next stage of lockdown easing next Monday with non-essential shops, gyms and hairdressers reopening, as well as pubs and restaurants for outdoor service.

But while Harrogate is showing a slowing rate, infections remain high in some parts of North Yorkshire.

Selby has a weekly rate of 59.6 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Craven at 50.8 and Scarborough at 48.7.

These are all above the England average of 37.9.

Meanwhile, there were five coronavirus patients at Harrogate hospital on Thursday - a figure which has fallen from nine the week before and 67 at the peak in February.

A total of 178 people have died at the hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, with the latest death being recorded on 29 March.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter