Number of people treated in Doncaster's hospitals for Covid reaches 2,000

A spokesman for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said that the figure is the number of patients treated in its three hospitals since the start of the pandemic in March.

A statement said: “This week, as our current numbers stand, we will care for our 2,000th Covid-19 positive patient since March.

"Team DBTH, like NHS workers across the country, have remained steadfast in their dedication to provide the best quality care.

"It has been a long nine months, and there's still some work left to do, however, we can hopefully see a light at the end of the tunnel as we inch closer to 2021.

"Please put your hands together for our amazing colleagues who, once we have licked Covid-19 together (not literally, that would make things worse), will continue to look after our friends, family members and loved ones every single day, and at any time.”

There have been a total of 459 deaths in Doncaster’s hospitals since March.

The Trust operates three hospitals in the region – Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Mexborough’s Montagu Hospital and Bassetlaw Hospital at Worksop.

Last week, health bosses said the number of coronavirus hospital admissions in Doncaster remained broadly stable, but urged people to remain on guard against the virus which has claimed more than 60,000 lives across the UK.

Infection rates are continuing to fall in Doncaster, prompting hopes the town could be moved out of Tier 3, the toughest tier of coronavirus restrictions.