South Yorkshire's hospitals now have almost double the number of Covid-19 patients they had during peak of first wave

Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis said the situation ‘remains precarious’ and urged residents in the county to follow the Tier 3 guidance which includes a ban on people mixing inside households.

Figures show during the peak of hospital admissions in April, there were 414 admitted with Covid-19 but this now stands at 700 - an increase of 41 per cent.

The mayor said the numbers were increasingly worrying as NHS staff absences were also starting to increase putting pressure on services.

A breakdown of the four areas of South Yorkshire was not given.

Mayor Jarvis also said there has been a lot of planning from the four hospital trusts and staff are ‘currently coping’.

He added it is hoped that experience from the first wave in March will help to keep the death rates lower.

The number of patients in hospital with Covid-19 is said to be a ‘key metric’ that will help determine when restrictions are relaxed in a particular area.

“Over recent weeks there has been a steady rise in the number of patients admitted to hospitals across South Yorkshire who have tested positive for Covid-19,” Mayor Jarvis said.

“This, combined with the significant numbers of staff who are isolating or unwell, mean the pressure on our NHS is steadily growing.

“NHS staff are working incredibly hard and making great sacrifices to keep us safe, as they have been for eight long months.

“But the situation remains precarious, and if Covid-19 cases continue to rise and hospitalisations increase, we risk our hospitals and the people who work in them being overwhelmed.

“The restrictions in place in South Yorkshire are the first and most important line of defence we have against the virus. We all wish this pandemic was over, but now more than ever, the NHS needs the communities they serve to play their part.

“Every Covid-19 case we prevent reduces the pressure on the NHS – and increases its capacity to continue routine activity. And that will save lives.

“Following the rules makes a huge difference and we all have a responsibility to do the right thing.

“Like everyone else, I do not want to spend a minute longer than is necessary in Tier 3 – but that depends on us sticking together and working together.”

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