Number of Covid patients at Chesterfield Royal Hospital QUADRUPLES in a month

North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley said that at the end of last week, the hospital had 120 inpatients who had tested positive for Covid-19, 16 of whom were in critical care.

That’s a big increase on the 29 inpatients he said had Covid, including nine in critical care, in early December.

New Covid variant blamed for huge surge in Derbyshire cases

Mr Rowley pointed out that not every one of those 120 patients would be ill from coronavirus, with some there due to other conditions, he stressed that it was a challenging time for the hospital.

Chief Executive at the Royal, Angie Smithson, to find out the current situation at the hospital.

"Whilst the vaccine is being given to the hospital’s staff at a solid rate, Covid-19 continues to account for about half of their staff absences,” he said.

Every adult will be offered a Covid-19 vaccination by autumn - as 200,000 receive jab per day

"The staff continue to work incredibly hard to help all patients, working long shifts. We remain incredibly grateful to them for all they are doing. Early January is always a difficult time for the NHS, but more so this year than ever before.

“Angie Smithson, the hospital’s chief executive, has stressed to us that the Royal Hospital is under pressure currently and coronavirus is creating a real challenge - another reason, sadly, for the need for additional restrictions temporarily.

"However, they want people to know that they are still here providing services if people need them - and it is vital that you seek assistance if it is an emergency, irrespective of the cause.”

Derbyshire police 'big enough to say we apologise' over lockdown fines