Covid-19: "Warning lights flashing " as hospital inpatients double and infection rate rises again

Rotherham's Local Outbreak Engagement Board heard at its most recent meeting on Friday how the number of people with Covid-19 being admitted to Rotherham Hospital had now increased to 17, including four patients in critical care - up from nine in-patients last Wednesday. 

Just five weeks ago, there were no Covid-19 inpatients at the hospital. 

Dr Richard Jenkins, chief executive of the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said that despite the recent rise in Covid-19 inpatient numbers, the figure was still far lower that it had been at the start of the pandemic. 

He added: "As we head towards flu season, it is as important as ever that we all continue to work together to reduce the risk of infection.

The outbreak engagement board also heard there had been at least two Covid-19 related deaths in the borough over the last fortnight, following a month without a coronavirus fatality. 

Rotherham's Covid-19 infection rate has also continued to rise, with the board revealing the number of infections per 100,000 people had gone above 50. 

Latest data from NHS Digitial, dating between September 19 and 25, suggests the infection rate in Rotherham is as high as 74.1 but Rotherham remains off the Government's Covid-19 watchist. 

The board said the most common cause of Covid-19 infection spread was communituy transmisssion - meaning that people are catching the virus most often during social or family contact.

Their data shows a wide spread of infection across the borough, with connections between families, friends and social circles. 

The message from Rotherham Council and health chiefs is that people must do everything they can to protect themselves and their loved ones from coroanvirus infection.

Rotherham Council leader and chair of the LOEB, Cllr Chris Read, said: "People have been through so much already this year. It is understandable that they are tired and don't want to face a new wave of restrictions.

"None of us wants to go back to the dark days we saw earlier this year, but the warning lights are now flashing.

"As a community, we must find the strength and the determination to do all that is needed to keep each other safe and to keep Rotherham Open, or else we will face new restrictions very soon.

"We appreciate that the rules can seem very complicated, but if everyone does the basics, wear a face covering, keeping your distance from everyone and anyone you don't live with - and not gathering in groups, and washing your hands regularly, we can and we will get through the months ahead."