PEOPLE in North Yorkshire are being urged to adhere to coronavirus safety messages after a "significant" rise in cases during the past week.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has appealed to the public to "redouble their vigilance" as cases increase, particularly among young people.

Numbers have risen across North Yorkshire, but particularly in the Selby, Scarborough and Harrogate districts. The week from September 1 to 7 saw 129 new cases in North Yorkshire, including 28 in the Harrogate, 31 in Scarborough and 36 in Selby.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of NYCC, said: “We are seeing an escalation in the number of cases. While this remains lower than in some neighbouring towns and cities, such as Middlesbrough and Leeds, there is no room for complacency.

“Now is the time that we must all follow the guidance to protect ourselves and each other.

"We don’t want people to be over-anxious, but everyone needs to be vigilant. The sacrifices people have made during the pandemic were outstanding and we must all stick to the guidance to avoid a second spike.”

NYCC is working closely with Public Health England, NHS Test and Trace and environmental health partners to understand the spread of the virus in local communities and to take appropriate actions to control outbreaks.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, North Yorkshire’s director of public health, said: “We know that the majority of recent infections appear to be among younger people, those under 30. Most of the cases are spread within households, and we are aware of a small number of outbreaks related to workplaces and the hospitality sector.

“A crucial step in controlling the spread of the virus is for people to limit unnecessary interactions with others. Avoid socialising outside of your social bubbles. In going about daily activities observe social distancing guidance and wear face coverings where it is not possible to maintain two-metre social distance.

“We know some establishments have chosen to close as a precaution. We do not routinely recommend closure of a business unless this is necessary to prevent ongoing transmission linked to that business.

"However, some businesses may choose to close temporarily to implement additional safety measures, including cleaning, or because staff members are self-isolating.

"Where there are people testing positive, we work with our partners to provide specific advice to those businesses on the appropriate measures to take to prevent spread of the virus.”

Find out more about preventing and reporting Covid-19 and what to do in the case of a positive test go to northyorks.gov.uk/covid-19-prevention-and-outbreak-support-settings