Hospital reveals it has almost 100 patients with Covid-19

A DERBYSHIRE hospital has revealed it has almost 100 patients who have been confirmed as positive for Covid-19, with 13 of these people requiring critical care.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust says it is experiencing a “substantial increase in Covid-19 cases”, but insists it still has space.

In a post on Facebook, the hospital says, thanks to a “mammoth team effort”, it has been able to find extra bed capacity by reorganising its services.

The post reads: “We’ve seen a few posts on social media that suggest our hospital has ‘reached breaking point’.

“It’s true that we are experiencing a substantial increase in Covid-19 cases. In fact, right now, there are almost 100 patients confirmed positive in the Royal - with 13 of these requiring critical care.

“Thanks to a mammoth team effort throughout today we have been able to re-organise services so we do still have some bed capacity to hand.

“And we’re likely to enact the next step in our Covid-19 escalation plan by opening a further ITU area within the operating theatre complex.”

It added that it wanted people in the area to help the hospital cope with demand.

The post reads: “Please use our services wisely. We are always here to help, but before you come straight to A&E make sure that’s the right place for your needs. If you do not have a real emergency or life-threatening condition call NHS 111 first for an over the phone assessment and to get the right advice.

“And it goes without saying that, with Derbyshire in Tier 4, the need to follow ‘hands, face and space’ and the ‘rules’ has never been more important. Your help and support is really appreciated.

“Finally, please join us in thanking our incredible staff. Clinical teams and support teams across the organisation have once again demonstrated amazing teamwork during these unprecedented and unpredictable times.”