Peak of third virus wave still ‘two to three weeks away’

HEALTH bosses estimate it will be “two or three weeks” until Nottinghamshire is over the peak of the third coronavirus wave.

The prediction came as it was confirmed there are now twice as many patients in the county’s hospitals compared to the start of the pandemic.

Public health officials said that once the peak had passed there would be fewer beds occupied by patients with coronavirus.

Encouraging signs show the virus is falling among the working and younger age groups but is still rising among older people, a public health briefing was told.

Dr Andy Haynes, medical director of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System, said one in four beds were now occupied by a patient battling Covid-19.

Dr Haynes said: “It is good news we have got the vaccine programme. It is good news that it is ramping up. However, the situation in our hospitals and care system remains critical.

“We have more than twice as many people in hospital than we had last April. That means one in four beds is occupied by someone with Covid.

“Admissions are still high and they will continue to increase for a further two weeks.”

Jonathan Gribbin, director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire, said: “Across Nottinghamshire in all our districts and boroughs rates remain at a very high level.

“They are not as high as the

English average, I am pleased to say, but they are running at rates that are driving hospitalisations, infections in care homes and other institutions and it remains a very serious concern to us.”

Alison Challenger, director of Public Health for Nottingham, added: “We won’t see the impact of those falling rates in the NHS for two to three weeks.”