FOUR more Covid patients at the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust have sadly died in the past week, NHS figures show.

As the UK marked two years this week since the first Covid lockdown, coronavirus continues to have an effect on the area, despite the phasing out of free testing at the end of this month.

The latest NHS figures showed that two Countess of Chester Hospital Trust patients died on March 18, with a further two dying on March 20.

That brings the total number of Covid deaths reported at the hospital trust since the start of the pandemic to 698.

Figures from the UK Health and Security Agency show that, as of 8am on Tuesday, March 22, there were 45 Covid patients being treated at the hospital trust, a decrease of five from the previous Tuesday's 50. The year's highest figure was recorded on January 13, when there were 104 Covid patients being treated.

Despite the phasing out of free Covid testing, case rates have continued to rise this month in Cheshire West and Chester, with 3,620 new cases being recorded in the latest seven-day reporting period, more than one per cent of the borough's population.

Experts believe the rising case rates have come as Covid restrictions have gradually eased over the past few weeks, and the effect of the vaccines waning.

A fourth Covid vaccine dose is now available for those aged 75 and over and the most clinically vulnerable.

Walk-in vaccine sites available in the coming days and weeks for Cheshire West are:

  • Former Huntington Primary School, Butterbache Road, Huntington, Chester, CH3 6DF. Friday, March 25th, Saturday, March 26th, Sunday, March 27th, Monday, March 28th, Tuesday, March 29th, Wednesday, March 30th, Thursday, March 31st, Friday, April 1st (3pm-6:30pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Vicar's Cross Pharmacy, Green Lane, Chester, CH3 5LB. Friday, March 25th, Saturday, March 26th, Monday, March 28th, Tuesday, March 29th (9:30am-5:30pm) - Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Hartford Methodist Church, Beach Road, Northwich, CW8 3AB. Friday, March 25th, Saturday, March 26th, Tuesday, March 29th (9am-6pm) - Pfizer and Moderna (including boosters)
  • Tarvin Community Centre, Meadow Close, Tarvin, Chester, CH3 8LY. Thursday, March 31st, Friday, April 8th, Sunday, May 8th, Thursday, May 19th (10am-4:30pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Pharmacy 2U, Unit 2 Rossmore Business Park, Ellesmere Port, CH65 3EY. Friday, March 25th (8am-8pm) - Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • The Gunners Arms car park, Thornton Rd, Ellesmere Port CH65 5HN. Saturday, March 26th (10am-1pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • The Cat pub car park, Wolverham Road, Ellesmere Port CH65 5BZ. Saturday, March 26th (1:15pm-5pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • St Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, Blacon Avenue, Chester, CH1 5BU. Sunday, March 27th (10am-12:45pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Waggon and Horses pub car park, Western Ave, Blacon, Chester CH1 5PR. Sunday, March 27th (1pm-5pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Tarporley Community Centre, High St, Tarporley, CW6 0AY. Wednesday, March 30th, Wednesday, April 13th (10am-4:30pm), Tuesday, April 26th (11am-5pm), Friday, May 6th (1pm-6:30pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Helsby Community Centre, Lower Robin Hood Lane, Helsby, WA6 0BA. Friday, April 1st (9:30am-1:30pm), Wednesday, April 20th (9:30am-12:30pm), Monday, May 9th (11:30am-3pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Frodsham Community Centre, Fluin Lane, Frodsham, WA6 7QN. Thursday, April 7th, Thursday, April 21st, Thursday, May 26th (10am-4:30pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Barbour Institute, High St, Tattenhall, Chester, CH3 9PX. Saturday, April 9th, Saturday, May 7th, Friday, May 20th (10am-4:30pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)
  • Neston Community Youth Centre, Burton Rd, Little Neston, Neston CH64 9RE. Friday, April 22nd, Tuesday, May 10th (10am-4:30pm) - Pfizer and AstraZeneca (including boosters)