This is the current coronavirus situation at Chesterfield Royal Hospital as UK cases rise

As at 2pm on Monday, there were no patients with confirmed coronavirus at the Royal and no deaths related to Covid-19 had been recorded since July 31 – with the total remaining at 139.

MORE: Family of Chesterfield FC legend Ernie Moss reveal how he’s doing as they fundraise for Dementia UK

Since the end of March this year, 580 patients who tested positive for coronavirus were discharged home after care and treatment.

On Monday, England’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van Tam, voiced his concern after the UK recorded 2,948 new Covid-19 cases.

Prof Van Tam said that hospital admissions and deaths were ‘at a very low level’ in the UK and the rise in cases was most prominent among those aged between 17 and 21.

Angie Smithson, chief executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, said: “The national picture indicates that Covid-19 cases are on the rise, although not necessarily increasing admissions to hospital at the moment.

“Nevertheless, as we head into winter we are likely to see more people needing hospital care for Covid-19 and other winter illness, including influenza.

“We are grateful to our local communities for all their help and support – wearing face coverings on site, maintaining social distancing, using the designated visitor system and frequently washing hands and using hand gel when they are in the hospital.

“All of these actions are helping to reduce the risk of infection spread.

“Continuing to do this throughout the winter will make a difference – and we also urge everyone who is eligible to have their flu vaccination.

“It has never been more important to protect the NHS by all of us ‘doing our bit’.”

She added that the hospital has ‘restarted an incredible number of services paused by the need to focus on coronavirus.

“We are pleased that our out-patient appointments have carried on throughout the pandemic, with patients benefiting from both telephone and on-screen consultations,” she said.

"We also have plans in place to offer increased routine elective surgery over the coming weeks, first of all concentrating on clinically urgent cases across our specialties.”

MORE: Plans for PEAK development near Chesterfield set to move forward

Editor’s message

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe at www.localsubsplus.co.uk so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.