Number of Covid patients in Doncaster hospitals nears 220, but bosses say cases stablising

In its weekly update on the coronavirus situation in the area, health bosses at Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust said that while the number of cases had stabilsed at some of its hospitals. the rate of transmission was rising significantly at others.

In a statement, a spokesman said: “We have continued to receive patients with Covid-19 this week and currently we have 217 such patients with us, 20 of which require intensive care.

“While our figures are somewhat consistent from week to week at the moment, what is clear is that the rate of transmission is differing from place to place, and while positive tests at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) and Montagu Hospital have stabilised somewhat recently, the numbers we are seeing at Bassetlaw Hospital have risen significantly – and we share our thanks with colleagues for their tireless efforts.

“Our staff are still working incredibly hard under difficult circumstances and we pay tribute to their continued resolve to do the very best they can for all the patients we are treating in within our hospitals.

“News of a vaccine is a fantastic ray of hope and, with luck, we will soon be able to look forward to more positive times and, hopefully, less restrictions on all our daily lives.

“In the meantime we are grateful for your support in following the advice of limiting your contact with other people outside your household, washing your hands regularly and wearing a face covering. It really does make a difference in terms of the spread of Covid-19 and the demand it places on our staff and health services.

“Finally we are asking people who are due to have an appointment or operation to come along as planned unless we contact you otherwise as we are continuing to carry out as much non Covid-19 care as possible at this time.

“Thank you, keep your spirits up and we will update you all again next Thursday, same time and same place. Everyone is doing an amazing job - let's take it one day at a time and we'll soon get through this.”