Scarborough has had most virus cases in the county

Link between deprivation and cases, but death rate does not follow pattern

New data released shows that Scarborough has had the highest rate of confirmed Covid-19 cases in North Yorkshire since the pandemic began.

A report by the director of Public Health for North Yorkshire Dr Lincoln Sargeant shows the breakdown of cases confirmed by testing across the county.

In his report as part of North Yorkshire County Council’s Outbreak Control Plan, Dr Sargeant makes the link between Scarborough as the most deprived area in the county and its high number of cases.

However, unlike nationally, it has not led to a higher death rate in Scarborough.

Last year, Scarborough was given a deprivation score of 26.3 by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), nearly double that of the next highest area in North Yorkshire, Ryedale on 15.7.

Dr Sargeant’s report shows that the borough has a rate of confirmed cases of 287.9 per 100,000 people, ahead of Craven in second place with 256.9.

Dr Sargeant writes: “There is little information on Covid-19 inequalities in North Yorkshire.

“[It] shows that Scarborough, the most deprived district, has the highest rate of cases in the county and is fourth out of seven districts in terms of mortality.

“Conversely, Harrogate is the least deprived district yet has the second-highest mortality.”

Nationally, mortality in the most deprived areas is more than double that seen in the least deprived areas. Scarborough’s

mortality rate of 70.9, though, is actually close to the average of the 10 least deprived areas (58.8 deaths per 100,000) than the most deprived areas (128.3).

Dr Sargeant’s report also found the county’s demographics were very different to those nationally when it came to the groups most at risk from the disease.

He wrote: “Nationally, age has been a significant factor in outcomes for Covid-19. North Yorkshire, median age 48.2 years, has a significantly older population compared with the

UK average (40.3 years).

“Furthermore, four districts (Craven, Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough) have median ages higher than the county average at 50 years and above. These districts have a high proportion of residents aged 65+, who are at increased risk of death from Covid-19.”

North Yorkshire County Council launched the Covid-19 Outbreak Control Plan last week to show how it will manage the virus over time as part of the national Test and Trace programme.

Dr Sargeant’s report shows that individual towns or even streets could be put into lockdown if outbreaks occur.

He added that the fire service has been distributing swab tests in bulk to care homes in Scarborough in response to potential outbreaks and that this will now be rolled out across the county.