Staffordshire hospitals have 30 per cent more coronavirus patients now than at peak of first wave
Almost 600 members of staff are off work due to coronavirus as a Staffordshire hospital trust treats more Covid-19 patients than it has at any time during the pandemic.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs County Hospital in Stafford, is treating around a third more coronavirus patients now than it was at the peak of the first wave of coronavirus infections.
But the trust also has around 1,000 members of its 11,500 workforce off sick, with 583 of these absent as a result of Covid-19.
Six members of staff have reportedly been told to stay off work after they ignored government guidelines and shared a car without wearing masks.
The trust, which also runs Royal Stoke University Hospital, was treating 235 coronavirus patients on Monday compared to 160 at the peak of the first wave on April 24.
So far 421 people have died at the trust, with 28 of these deaths happening between Thursday and Monday.
Michelle Rhodes, the hospitals' chief nurse and director of infection prevention and control, said it was "really important" that everyone takes action as the infection rate rise.
She said: “University Hospitals of North Midlands has seen a significant increase in admissions for patients who are Covid-19 positive.
"We currently have 235 inpatients with Covid-19 in our hospitals which is now substantially above the first wave back in April, which was about 160 at its peak.
“While we have learned lots about this disease since the start of the pandemic and new treatments are available, the long-term effects can be debilitating, even for young, fit people who originally had mild symptoms.
“Our staff and those from our NHS partners are working round the clock to care and treat Covid-19 patients and our hospitals are continuing to treat non-covid patients as well.
"It’s no secret that, as infection rates rise, so do hospital admissions, that’s why it’s really important that everyone takes action now to prevent more people getting sick from this disease and that our local communities work together and follow the national guidance now and that of lockdown which will come into force on Thursday, especially by washing their hands, covering their face and keeping two metres apart. Remember Hands, Face, Space."
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The 583 workers off sick includes staff members who are self-isolating due to being in contact with Covid-19 patients and people who themselves have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
On Saturday the trust was named by the NHS as one of six hospital trusts in England dealing with a higher number of coronavirus patients than they had during the peak of the first wave.
No other hospital trusts in the West Midlands are in that position.
John Oxtoby, the trust's medical director, said: “Our staff at University Hospital of North Midlands, like those in the NHS across the country, have been working incredibly hard with no real respite between the first wave of the pandemic, the recovery of services and now the second surge of Covid-19.
"We all obviously have a responsibility to observe national guidance and our staff are regularly kept up to date with the latest advice as it becomes available.
“Wearing a face mask and eye protection alongside hand washing and social distancing are all important measures of reducing the spread of Covid-19 in our hospitals and to keep our patients and communities safe.
“The pandemic has asked a lot of us all and it is important to continue to remind our staff to look after themselves and each other.”
