Visiting suspended at Chesterfield Royal Hospital amid rise in Covid patients

At around 11am on Tuesday, there were 43 patients with Covid-19 in the hospital – 14 of whom were receiving critical care.

MORE: Alfreton woman tried to change places with male passenger after police stopped her for suspected drink driving

Since the end of March, 146 people have died at the Royal with their deaths being recorded as Covid-19-related.

Some 600 people who were admitted to the hospital with the virus have been able to return home since the end of March.

On Monday night, the Royal announced it had suspended all but the most essential and compassionate general visiting.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital spokesperson Sarah Turner-Saint said: “Over the past few weeks this trust, along with hospitals across the country, has seen a gradual increase in the number of patients who have tested positive for Covid-19.

“The decision to suspend visiting has been taken to help protect all of our patients, our colleagues and our services to enable us to provide the best care to our patients in a safe environment.

“Visiting will be allowed in special circumstances, such as a birthing partner during labour or when receiving end of life care.”

Over the weekend, the hospital closed its stroke unit to patients and visitors after positive coronavirus tests.

In the latest update, Ms Turner-Saint said: “We have been able to reopen our stroke unit to new patient admissions to prevent transferring people further away to units with the same issue.

“Covid-19 patients are being cared for separately in line with strict infection control policies and will continue to receive the best clinical stroke care from their physicians as well.”

According to the latest available data at 4.30pm on Tuesday, there were 314 cases of Covid-19 in Chesterfield between October 17 and October 23, up 192 compared with the previous week.

The infection rate for this period was 299 cases per 100,000 people. The average area in England had 137.

In North East Derbyshire, there were 336 cases of Covid-19 between October 17 and October 23, up 155 compared with the previous week.

That area had an infection rate of 331 cases per 100,000 people for that period.

MORE: Man's body found in Chesterfield

Editor’s message

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription at www.localsubsplus.co.uk or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.