Hospital provides Covid-19 update – as Tier 3-bound Chesterfield’s coronavirus infection rate drops below England average

At around 4.30pm on Thursday, there were 48 Covid-19 patients in the hospital and 13 of these were in intensive care.

Earlier this week, on Tuesday, staff at the Royal were caring for 50 people with the virus – 13 of whom needed intensive care.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital spokesperson Sarah Turner-Saint said the trust had recorded a total of 187 Covid-19-related deaths since the end of March.

Around 600 people who have been in the hospital for Covid-19-related conditions since March have been discharged after care and treatment.

The hospital is continuing to care for hundreds of non-Covid patients.

According to the latest available data, there were 165 cases of Covid-19 in Chesterfield between November 16 and November 22, down 140 compared with the previous week.

The infection rate for this period was 157 cases per 100,000 people. The average area in England had 165.

In North East Derbyshire, there were 225 cases of Covid-19 between November 16 and November 22, down 36 compared with the previous week.

North East Derbyshire had an infection rate of 222 cases per 100,000 people for that period.

In Bolsover, there were 244 cases of Covid-19 between November 16 and November 22, down 50 compared with the previous week.

That area had an infection rate of 303 cases per 100,000 people for that period.

When the current national lockdown ends on December 2, Chesterfield – along with the whole of Derbyshire – will be under Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions.

MORE: This is everything you can and cannot do in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 – rules explained in full

Under the new regulations, people will only be able to meet other households in outdoor public spaces like parks, where the rule of six applies.

Pubs and bars in Tier 3 areas will only be able to offer takeaways and delivery.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We understand the concern and frustration that this announcement will cause for many people, particularly local businesses which have already endured so much disruption and hardship this year.

“In particular, we know the county-wide tier three restrictions will hit our hospitality and tourism industry hard in the run-up to the festive period.

“This is something which I and all other Derbyshire council leaders highlighted in an urgent letter to Government this week, urging them to consider less strict rules for our area.

“But unfortunately, while we have seen some improvements in infection rates, they remain too high.

“We must all continue to play our part and abide by the updated restrictions when the national lockdown ends, to continue to slow the spread of the virus, reduce pressure on the NHS and protect the most vulnerable.

“In doing so we can lower infection rates, and hopefully move to a lower tier in time.

“Our community’s resilience will continue through these ongoing challenges, and as we prepare for the festive season I know this spirit will keep shining through, even though our celebrations must be different this year.

“As a council we will do all we can to keep essential services running for local people, as we have since the start of the pandemic.”

MORE: Chesterfield businesses react to Tier 3 announcement

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