THE number of Covid patients being treated at the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust has hit its highest level since March 2021, new figures show.

Latest available data on the UK Health Security Agency, published on Friday, December 31, showed that as of 8am on Tuesday, December 28, there were 43 Covid patients being treated at the hospital trust. Of the 43, three were on mechanical ventilator beds.

This was more than double the number of patients being treated at 8am on Tuesday, December 21, when there were 17 patients being treated at the hospital trust, and is the highest number being treated there since March 2.

The figures mirror the rise being shown across the UK, following the huge spike in Covid cases being reported as part of the Omicron wave this month.

The situation for the hospital trust is better than it was 12 months ago, when there were 160 Covid patients being treated at the hospital on December 28, 2020.

But with Covid cases still on a rapid rise in Cheshire West and Chester, and the rest of the UK, health experts are concerned there will be severe disruption to the NHS in the coming days and weeks, particularly if NHS staff are unable to work due to testing positive for Covid themselves.

 

Visiting restrictions reimposed

 

Visiting restrictions at the CoCH Trust had eased just before Christmas, but have been re-applied as of Wednesday, December 29.

The CoCH Trust says: "Visiting restrictions are being reintroduced from Wednesday 29 December in line with National guidance. 

"Visiting will not be permitted unless under exceptional circumstances in COVID-positive areas.

"These visiting arrangements, which are in line with national and regional NHS guidance, will be under constant review, with visiting in individual areas and the wider hospital potentially being restricted further as required.

"The following areas are not included: Emergency Department (A&E), Acute Medical Unit (AMU), Respiratory Support Unit (RSU), Ward 43 and Women’s and Children’s services."

 

Number of cases soars

 

More than 1,000 new Covid cases are now being reported in Cheshire West and Chester each day.

During the most recent week of data available, from December 20-26, more than one in 40 of people aged 20-34 tested positive for Covid.

Covid rates are now also rapidly rising in those aged 60 and above, albeit from a much lower base. Between December 20-26, about one in 200 people aged 60 and above tested positive for Covid.

Current medical evidence indicates the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is more likely to infect people even if they have had all three vaccinations, but being triple jabbed will reduce the risk of hospitalisation by 88 per cent, compared to someone who had not been vaccinated.

 

Booster vaccines

 

Nearly 200,000 people in Cheshire West and Chester have received a booster jab, equivalent to 61 per cent of people aged 12 and above. In that age demographic, 80.4 per cent of people have had two Covid vaccine doses, and 86.4 per cent have had one vaccine dose.

Walk-in vaccination clinics will be at the following locations in west Cheshire next week: 

  • Vicar's Cross Vaccination Centre, Green Lane, Chester, CH3 5LB. Tuesday, January 4th, Wednesday, January 5th, Thursday, January 6th (3pm-5:30pm) - Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna (including boosters)
  • Churton House, Countess of Chester Health Park, Chester, CH2 1BD. Tuesday, January 4th, Wednesday, January 5th, Thursday, January 6th, Friday, January 7th (7am-7pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Lache Community Centre, Hawthorn Road, Chester, CH4 8HX. Thursday, January 6th (10am-5pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)