More than 100 Covid patients in region's hospitals but numbers significantly down
Hospital trusts across the Black Country and Staffordshire were caring for 111 coronavirus patients in hospital as of last Tuesday, as figures show the numbers continue to fall.
NHS England data showed the number being treated in hospital for Covid-19, by 8am on April 13, was down from 134 on the same day the previous week.
A total of 44 coronavirus patients were being cared for at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust as of last Tuesday – down from 52 the previous week. The number of beds occupied by Covid-positive patients has decreased by 52 per cent in the last four weeks.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust was caring for 22 coronavirus patients as of 8am on April 13 – down from 31 on the previous week.
The number of beds occupied by people who had tested positive for the virus decreased by 72 per cent in the last four weeks.
At the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, there were also 22 coronavirus patients being cared for as of Tuesday – down from 23 on the same day the previous week.
The number of beds at the Dudley trust occupied by people who had tested positive for coronavirus decreased by 50 per cent in the last four weeks.
The Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust was caring for 20 patients as of last week – down from 21 on the same day the previous week.
The number of beds at the trust occupied by people who tested positive for Covid decreased by 58 per cent in the last four weeks.
Only three coronavirus patients were being cared for at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust as of 8am on April 13 – down from seven on the same day the previous week.
The number of beds occupied by Covid-positive patients decreased by 91 per cent at the trust in the last four weeks.
The figures also show that in the week to April 11, 20 new Covid patients were admitted to the Sandwell and West Birmingham trust; 13 to UHNM; 11 to the Walsall trust; 10 to the Dudley trust; and eight to the Wolverhampton trust.
The Dudley trust’s chief executive, Diane Wake, on behalf of hospital leaders in the Black Country and West Birmingham, said: “We continue to urge people to follow the guidance in place and to receive their vaccination when they can.”
“Hands, face, space and fresh air remain vital if we are to continue this very welcome downward trend.”
Paul Bytheway chief operating officer at UHNM, added: “The number of patients requiring an admission due to Covid-19 has significantly reduced.
"It is therefore important our local population continues to adhere to the national guidance of hands, face, space and fresh air so we can continue this progress while enjoying some of the easing of lockdown measures.
“We would also encourage people to take up rapid testing twice a week in the community and have the Covid-19 vaccine when offered to help protect themselves, their families and work colleagues.”
Across England there were 2,057 in hospital with Covid as of April 13, with 333 of those in mechanical ventilation beds.
Covid-19 patients hospitalised nationally has decreased by 64 per cent in the last four weeks, while the number on mechanical ventilators has decreased by 62 per cent.
