One more Covid death reported at Harrogate District Hospital as toll rises to 88

NHS figures show a patient died on Saturday - the same day the Prime Minister announced a four-week national lockdown starting on Thursday.

The death takes the hospital's toll up to 88 and is the fourth to be announced in the last eight days.

It comes as Harrogate's weekly infection rate of 244 cases per 100,000 people remains the highest in North Yorkshire and continues to climb above the national average of 222.

There have been 393 new cases recorded across the Harrogate district in the last seven days.

New lockdown: Harrogate business leader warns of 'economic crisis'

Boris Johnson announced at a Downing Street news conference on Saturday that the second national lockdown will include the closing of pubs, restaurants, gyms, non-essential shops and places of worship.

But unlike the restrictions in spring, schools, colleges and universities can stay open.

Mr Johnson also said Christmas may be "very different" but he hoped taking action now would mean families can gather.

He added after 2 December, the restrictions would be eased and regions would go back to the tiered system.

Mr Johnson also announced the furlough system paying 80% of employee wages will be extended through November.

Under the new restrictions people are being told to stay at home unless they have a specific reason to leave, such as work which cannot be done from home and education.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter