'Significant' rise in Covid cases at Staffordshire hospitals
Medical staff at Stafford's County Hospital say they have their work cut out for them this winter – as they reveal there has been a "significant" increase in Covid patients in the last 10 days.
The University Hospitals North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), which runs Stafford County and Stoke Royal hospitals, is currently caring for 94 people across both sites who have tested positive for coronavirus.
Chiefs say there has been a notable increase in patients being admitted with Covid-19 – and urge everyone in the community to work together to keep safe.
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A spokesman for UHNM said: "Over the last 10 days we have seen a significant increase in patients being admitted with Covid-19 and we are currently caring for 94 individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 across our hospitals. In context, we have to go back to May to find comparable figures.
Praise
"It is clear that as a Trust we have our work cut out for us this winter. Everyone in the UHNM family does an amazing job but with your help in the community can we limit the spread of the virus and while we understand it may be frustrating, only by working together can we get through this. So please remember; hands, face, space."
The Trust shared the message on its social media channels and received widespread praise from the community.
Eliza Quint, who lives in Staffordshire, said: "Good to hear from front line staff telling us the stark truth that this virus can kill our nearest and dearest, let’s all be careful, thanks for the wonderful work you do."
Fellow resident Lynne Smith said: "If everyone did their bit and thought of others, what a massive difference it would make to us all."
There have been 367 Covid-19 related deaths at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust since the pandemic began – but Staffordshire has been given Tier One status, the lowest risk. However, there are fears it could be moved up into Tier Two if the number of cases keep rising.
