Chesterfield Royal Hospital now caring for highest number of Covid patients since coronavirus hit

The hospital made the sobering announcement on Thursday, as it confirmed it is looking after 169 patients with coronavirus, 16 of whom are in intensive care.

Sarah Turner-Saint, head of communications Chesterfield Royal, said the pressure and demand facing staff is ‘unprecedented’.

She added: “There are around 300 other patients in hospital who also need urgent care and treatment.

"It’s an understatement to say it’s an incredibly challenging time for our staff, many are working extra hours and shifts to support critical care, we have colleagues helping out with support roles like meal services - and everyone is pitching in where they can. It really is all hands on deck. And amazing to be frank - the teamwork is superb!”

Around six per cent of the Royal’s 4,200-strong team are currently absent from work through Covid-19, Ms Turner-Saint said, which has resulted in ‘extra pressure to ensure safe staffing levels’.

She added: “We are also incredibly sad that 289 of our patients are now a ‘COVID-19 related death statistic’. They are of course much more than that - they are much missed loved-ones - they are grandparents, parents, sisters and brothers, nephews, nieces, cousins, workmates and friends.

"Our thoughts are with their families and indeed with all families who have lost someone during the pandemic.”

On a brighter note, more than 1,100 people have left the Royal in the last 10 months after care and treatment for coronavirus.

The news comes as NHS England data revealed more than 70,000 people in Derbyshire have received at least one dose of the potentially life-saving coronavirus vaccine.

Minister for Covid vaccine deployment Nadhim Zahawi said the UK remains on track to meet its first vaccination target.

Ms Turner-Saint said: “That, and the start of the national vaccination programme - the biggest in history - are lights in the dark tunnel of lockdown.

"A long way to go to protect everyone, lots of challenges, but phenomenal work in progress by teams of staff across the NHS many of whom are supporting the programme in addition to their ‘day job’.”