Coronavirus: Hospital numbers and infection rate in Rotherham continue to fall

As of this morning, hospital staff were treating just seven Covid-19 inpatients — down ten from last week — two of whom were in critical care, with no deaths in the past week.

Since the start of the pandemic, 590 people have died after testing positive for the virus, 2,551 patients have been treated for Covid-19 and 1,868 discharged.

The borough’s infection rate has also continued to fall, according to the latest available figures, which put the rate per 100,000 people at 72.3 as of last Thursday — down 30 per cent on the previous week.

This week marks another round of Covid-19 restrictions easing across the UK, and the impact this may have on infection rates is still to be seen.

Rotherham Council’s Director of Public Health, Ben Anderson, urged people to remember the risks of another wave of infections in across the borough.

He said: “There is a lot of excitement now the lockdown restrictions are easing and it’s great to see people coming back to the town centre.

“However, there is a very real risk of a further wave of infection in Rotherham so it’s vital we all continue to social distance and follow all of the Covid-19 safety guidelines to avoid any need for restrictions to be re-introduced.

“Please, if you are going shopping, visiting the hairdresser’s or meeting family and friends outside at a café or pub, keep your distance, wash your hands regularly and wear a face covering when required.

“We must all do everything we can to keep Rotherham open.”