Patient in 40s among three who died in past week at city hospitals

ADMISSIONS AND DEATHS HAVE BEEN FALLING OVER SUMMER

A PATIENT in their 40s is among three people with coronavirus who have died in hospital in Leicester in the last week.

The University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust confirmed the deaths of the patients yesterday.

The total number of people being treated for the virus who have died in either Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield or General hospitals has now risen to nearly 450 since the start of the pandemic.

A UHL spokesman said: “Sadly, we can confirm that 446 patients being cared for at our hospitals, and who had tested positive for Covid19, have died.

“Three of those deaths have been announced since last Wednesday (September 16).

“The ages of the patients ranged between those in their 40s to those in their 70s.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the patients at this very difficult and distressing time.”

The number of coronavirus cases in the city and county has been rising through September and public health bosses have warned if the trend continues it will inevitably lead to another increase in both Covid-19-related hospital admissions and deaths.

Both admissions and deaths linked to the virus have been falling through the summer at Leicester’s hospitals.

Rob Howard, Leicester City Council consultant in public health, told the Mercury he was pleased so far increased cases had not yet resulted in an increase in significantly more people being admitted to Leicester’s hospitals with coronavirus.

However, he added: “It is likely it will lead to more admissions.

“If you look at what is happening in other countries, in France, in Spain, we are on the same trajectory.

“Their numbers are three weeks or so ahead of ours and they are now starting to see a significant increase in hospitalisations and deaths as well.

“The reason it hasn’t been so dramatic this time round is because it has mostly been working-age adults who are less at risk - they are not entirely without risk - but they are less at risk.

“We also now have better ways of protecting the more vulnerable with policies around care homes and shielding and the knowledge people have about protecting themselves, but it is inevitable as we get significant increases in the working-age population it will get into the older more vulnerable population eventually.

“Covid has not gone away, it has not changed and if we allow it to come back to levels we saw before, inevitably, more people will become seriously ill with some dying.”

The Mercury has asked Leicester’s hospitals for the latest virus-related admissions figures but the information has not been released.

A spokesman for Leicester’s hospitals said: “The number of patients with confirmed Covid-19 at our hospitals declined over the summer, but we have seen a small increase in patient numbers since mid-August.

“We encourage everyone to continue to follow Covid safety guidance – clean hands often, use a facemask as appropriate and maintain a safe social distance from people that do not live with you.

“If you, or anyone you live with experience symptoms, self-isolate in line with government guidance and book a test online.”

No deaths were again reported by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, while 21 people have died with coronavirus while being cared for by the trust, which manages the area’s community hospitals.

Its last Covid-related fatality was reported in June.