Some schools across North Yorkshire closed today and the hospital in Harrogate has suspended non-urgent operations as the fall out over the coronavirus outbreak continues.

It comes after the first COVID-19 patient at Harrogate District Hospital has died, just a couple of days after the hospital confirmed their first case.

There are currently eight people in North Yorkshire with coronavirus, according to the latest numbers from Public Health England.

Many businesses and schools are trying to limit the spread of the coronavirus by either closing or adapting and The Stray Ferret has a list of everything that happened on Wednesday.

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4pm – Tractor Fest cancels over COVID-19 fears

The Tractor Fest due to be held at Newby Hall has decided to cancel over coronavirus fears.

It was expected to bring in more than 12,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibits this year, but organisers have said to expect a bigger event next year.

https://twitter.com/thetractorfest/status/1240251864609947648

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3.30pm – A full list of coronavirus school closures in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council has released a full list of school closures as headteachers try to protect pupils from coronavirus.

• Outwood Academy Easingwold Open to Y10, 11 & 13 only


• Eskdale School Open to KS4


• Ryedale School Open to Y7 and Y11 only


• Pickering Community Junior Closed


• Lealholm Primary School Closed


• Forest Moor School Closed to 2 x KS3 classes


• Nidderdale High School Closed to Y9/10 and open for Y7 8 11


• Selby PRS Partial Closed


• Tadcaster Grammar School Open for Y7, 11 and 13


• Bentham CP School Closed to nursery children


• Reeth CP School Closed


• Scarborough PRS Closed to Y10


• Harrogate Hookstone Chase Primary School Closed to R, KS1 and EMS provision


• Gunnerside Methodist Primary School Closed


• Norton College Closed to years 8, 9, 10 and 12, and to open only to years 7, 11 and 13


• Skipton St Stephen's Primary School Closed to Y1/2, Y2/3, Y4/5


• Welburn Hall School Some classes closed due to reduced staffing


• Nidderdale High School Closed to Y9 and open for all other year groups


• Boroughbridge High School Open to Y7, Y10, Y11, Y12, Y13


• Boroughbridge High School Open to Y8, 9, 11, 12, 13 (From March 20)


• Austwick Primary Closed (From March 20)


• Thirsk Secondary School Closed (From March 20)


• Ryedale School Closed (From March 20)

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3pm – Harrogate homeless charity stops accepting most donations

A Harrogate homeless charity has stopped accepting the majority of donations in a bid to protect its vulnerable service users from coronavirus.

The Harrogate Homeless Project will only accept sealed food, sealed toilet roll, cleaning products, hand sanitiser and handwash from today.

A notice on the charity's site reads: "We are also currently unable to collect any donations and will only be able to accept donations at the door.

"We have an intercom and are happy for you to press the bell and step away if you wish to leave donations from our 'accepted' list on our doorstep instead."

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2pm – Harrogate hospital suspends non-urgent operations

Increased demand as a result of coronavirus has forced the hospital in Harrogate to suspend all non-urgent operations.

Harrogate District Hospital said today that the emergency measures were likely to be in place for the next three months at least.

https://twitter.com/HarrogateNHSFT/status/1240267208623706113

Urgent and emergency cases, as well as cancer treatments, will carry on as normal. The hospital will contact everyone affected.

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1pm – Business as usual at Harrogate council

It's business as usual at the council in Harrogate despite businesses in the district closing down over coronavirus.

Harrogate Borough Council has told The Stray Ferret that it will not hold any emergency public meetings on COVID-19 but said it is holding daily internal meetings.

The council building on St Luke's Avenue remains open to the public, as does the customer services desk.

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12pm – Harrogate hospital places restrictions on visitors

Coronavirus has forced Harrogate District Hospital to restrict the number of visitors and has even limited them to just an hour a day.

Visitors must be immediate family members or carers and must not have symptoms of COVID-19, be over 70-years-old, be vulnerable as a result of their medication or have a chronic illness.

Patients are limited to just one visitor unless they are receiving end-of-life care, the visitor needs to be accompanied or they are a partner and birthing partner accompanying a woman in labour.

All of these measures will be in place for the foreseeable future and the hospital has urged people to consider keeping in touch in other ways.

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11am – Enjoy the outdoors as National Trust opens for free

People are being invited to get some fresh air and explore National Trust sites as they open up to the public for free.

The National Trust will be closing its houses, cafes, and shops this week but the gardens and park will remain open.

A spokesperson said that the move was to help "the nation use open spaces to relax and refresh, while following the government's social distancing guidance."

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10am – McDonald's closes restaurants, takeaways only

McDonald's is the latest company to close down all of its restaurants to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The international chain has restaurants in Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough, which have all changed to delivery and drive-thru only.

A spokesperson for McDonald's said they would continue to remain open for takeaways "for as long as it is safe to do so."

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9am – Conservative spring forum in Harrogate cancelled

The Conservative Party has decided to cancel the spring forum over coronavirus, which was due to be held at the Harrogate Convention Centre in early April.

Anyone who has paid a registration fee can apply for a refund by clicking or tapping here for more information.

The party apologised for any inconvenience caused but said the health and safety of delegates was its main concern.