NORTH Yorkshire and York NHS leaders are urging people to continue to be sensible and follow current Covid guidance after cases treble in the region.

The advice follows an update earlier in the week from Boris Johnson, when it was announced that most Covid restrictions in England are likely to be lifted on July 19.

North Yorkshire cases have trebled in the space of a fortnight, from 82.4 cases a week per 100,000 on June 19, to 261.6 cases a week on July 3- on par with numbers recorded in mid January.

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The latest figures published on the Government's daily dashboard as of July 8 show the highest number of cases in North Yorkshire are being recorded among younger people.

There have been 1,152.1 cases per 100,000 in North Yorkshire among people aged between 20 and 24, and 968.1 cases per 100,00 between those aged 15 and 19.

Amanda Bloor, NHS North Yorkhsire cinical commissioning group accountable officer, said: "The vaccination programme in North Yorkshire and York has been an incredible success story, but we're not at the finish line yet and we're now seeing sharp increases in infection rates among younger cohorts who have not had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated.

"Around two in five young adults aged 18 to 24 in North Yorkshire and York are yet to have their first COVID vaccine and only around one in six have had both jabs for maximum protection.

"People who haven't had both doses of the vaccine are much more susceptible to catching coronavirus than those who have been 'double-jabbed' and they should continue to exercise caution and common sense – and 'book' their COVID vaccine through the NHS national booking service, online or via 119, if they haven't already done so."

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Dr Nigel Wells, a GP and clinical chair at NHS Vale of York CGG added: "While the vaccination programme has undoubtedly weakened the link between COVID cases and hospitalisations, we are beginning to see the early signs of a small but sustained increase in the numbers of people being admitted to our hospitals who have COVID-19.

"We're also seeing more staff absences in healthcare settings because healthcare workers are self-isolating having come in to contact with a confirmed case. This is putting extra pressure on services at a time when demand is incredibly high."

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