‘Another tragic milestone’: Number of Covid-19 deaths passes 300 at Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Since March last year, a total of 306 people have died with the virus at the hospital.

MORE: Remembering the lives lost in Derbyshire during the pandemic

Chesterfield Royal Hospital spokesperson Sarah Turner-Saint described it as ‘another tragic milestone’.

She said: “They are of course, as we always say, not mere numbers.

“They are much-missed loved ones – relatives, friends and colleagues across our north Derbyshire communities and they are in our thoughts, as are all those who’ve passed away at Chesterfield Royal during the pandemic period.”

On Wednesday afternoon, staff at the Royal were looking after 174 people with the virus – 13 of whom were in intensive care.

It comes after the hospital saw its highest number of Covid-19 patients so far – 191 – at the weekend.

Meanwhile, there are currently nearly 300 patients with other serious medical and surgical conditions.

Ms Turner-Saint said: “The hospital is still under extreme pressure and demand.

“We’re appealing to everyone to remain vigilant right now.

“There is still a long way to go before life can ‘return to normal’.

“Protecting all NHS services and practising ‘hands, face and space’ is as important now as it ever was – even if you’ve had your first vaccine.”

She added: “We are pleased to report, though, that over the past 10 months 1,200 people have been discharged home after having Covid-19 – which is the other side of statistics not often talked about.”

In the House of Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK remains in a ‘perilous situation with more than 37,000 patients now in hospital with Covid-19 – almost double the peak of the first wave’.

He said schools in England will not be able to open after the February half-term break but could begin to return from March 8.

Mr Johnson added that he hoped other lockdown restrictions could begin to be gradually eased at some point after schools reopen.

Derbyshire Covid-19 positive tests per 100,000 people in the latest week (January 16 to January 22)

Amber Valley: 410

Bolsover: 514

Chesterfield: 403

Derby: 561

Derbyshire Dales: 267

Erewash: 399

High Peak: 261

North East Derbyshire: 353

South Derbyshire: 377

England national average: 344

MORE: Ambitious regeneration plans for Chesterfield could create nearly 1,000 jobs

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