Chesterfield Royal Hospital update on coronavirus – as Boris Johnson set to announce further easing of lockdown

At around 11am on Monday, staff at the Royal were looking after one patient with Covid-19.

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A spokesperson for the hospital said: “We don’t have any currently receiving critical care.”

The trust has recorded a total of 444 deaths related to the virus.

In a Downing Street news conference at 5pm on Monday, Boris Johnson is expected to confirm that indoor hospitality and household mixing will be permitted from May 17.

Talking to the BBC, Health Minister Nadine Dorries said she was ‘hopeful’ hugging could also be allowed in a week’s time – but she urged people to act ‘cautiously’.

Meanwhile, the four UK chief medical officers have agreed the Covid-19 alert level should move from level four to level three, meaning the ‘epidemic is in general circulation’.

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A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times editor

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