NORTH Yorkshire is the only area in the North East and Yorkshire to be under Tier 2 Covid restrictions, but that may be about to change. 

North Yorkshire’s seven-day rolling rate to December 23 is 174.7 per 100,000 people with 1080 cases (up 301 or 38.6 per cent).

Though cases are still below the national average, The Northern Echo understands North Yorkshire is anticipating being placed under Tier 3 restrictions in the tier review tomorrow, December 30.

Cases have soared in Hambleton, with an increase of 207.0 per cent, up 147 cases to 218. This gives the area a rolling rate of 239.0 per 100,000 people.

Neighbouring area Richmondshire has also seen an increase, with cases rising 39.1 per cent, with 27 further cases taking the total to 96. Richmondshire has a rolling rate of 178.7 per 100,000 people.

The Government uses five key indicators to determine what tier an area will be placed in. This includes case detection rates in all age groups, case detection rates in the over 60s and the case change rate - whether cases are rising or falling.

The positivity rate, which is the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken is also factored in, as well as the pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy of hospitals. 

The most up to date data on the Government's coronavirus dashboard reveals in the 24-hours leading to December 28, there were no deaths in North Yorkshire within 28 days of a positive test result. 

However, for the week ending December 11, there were 31 North Yorkshire deaths that mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate, taking the total in the local authority area to 745.

The biggest differences between Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions is the amount of mixing you can do with friends and family who live separately from you.

Currently, under Tier 2 rules, people in North Yorkshire can mix with different households outside - including in private gardens -  in groups of up to 6, while you can only do so in parks and public outdoor places under Tier 3 rules. 

In Tier 2, hospitality venues like pubs and restaurants are allowed to stay open as long as they offer a substantial meal with all sales of alcohol and operate table service, while Tier 3 businesses must only operate take out or click and collect. 

How cases numbers have changed across North Yorkshire in the seven days to December 23:

Hambleton

Total cases: 218, 147 (207.0 per cent)

Rolling rate: 238.0

Richmondshire 

Total cases: 96, up 27 (39.1 per cent)

Rolling rate: 178.7

Scarborough: 

Total cases: 262, down 12 (-4.4 per cent)

Rolling rate: 240.9

Craven

Total cases

84, up 13 (18.3 per cent)

Rolling rate: 147.0

Harrogate

Total cases: 184, up 50 (37.3 per cent)

Rolling rate: 114.4

Reydale 

Total cases: 81, up 45 (125.0 per cent)

Rolling rate: 146.3

Selby 

Total cases: 155, up 31 (25.0 per cent)

Rolling rate: 171.0