Coronavirus update from Chesterfield Royal Hospital

At noon on Monday, a hospital spokesperson told the Derbyshire Times there were 19 patients with a positive diagnosis of Covid-19 – five of whom were receiving critical care.

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In total, 457 people have died with coronavirus at the Royal.

According to official data, 34 new people received a confirmed positive test result in Chesterfield in the latest 24-hour period.

Between last Monday and Sunday, 315 people had a confirmed positive test result in Chesterfield. This was an increase of 16.2 per cent compared to the previous seven days.

Figures also show that more than four in five people in Chesterfield have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The latest data shows 73,226 people had received both jabs by the end of Saturday.

Millions of pupils are returning to classrooms across England this week – amid fears of a spike in coronavirus cases.

Pre-term testing is being used to limit infection, but rules on social distancing and face masks have gone.

Some scientists fear there will be a rapid rise in school cases without such measures – and the UK’s vaccine advisory body has refused to give the green light to vaccinating healthy children aged 12 to 15 on health grounds alone.

The UK's four chief medical officers have now been asked to have the final say on this, and to consider the wider impact on schools and society.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said a decision would be made shortly.

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