Two more coronavirus deaths at Harrogate hospital as toll reaches 135

NHS figures released today show two patients who tested positive for Covid-19 died at the hospital on Tuesday, February 2.

It brings the toll up to 135 and comes after the hospital this week became the only one in North Yorkshire to report a rise in Covid admissions with 65 patients currently in beds - another record high.

Speaking at a briefing yesterday, Amanda Bloor, accountable officer at NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said it would take some time for the number to decline.

She said: "I don't think we are going to see a significant and quick drop in the numbers of admissions.

"We do hope to see a consistent, steady decline and members of the public will help to achieve that by continuing to comply with the guidance."

Across North Yorkshire, a total of 440 patients were in hospital with coronavirus on Wednesday.

The seven-day infection rate per 100,000 people in the county currently stands at 160, whilst the same figure for Harrogate is slightly higher at 180.

These are both below the national average of 256.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter