Hospitals See 10,000 Covid Patients As Infections Jump

The number of Covid-positive patients in England’s NHS hospitals has hit more than 10,000 for the first time since mid-February, as admissions continue to increase and pressure grows on emergency services.

- Rebecca Thomas

The NHS yesterday recorded 10,576 patients in its hospital beds, as figures rose by 18 per cent week on week. The number of new admissions of patients with Covid-19 to English hospitals hit 1,368 on Saturday, a slight decrease on new admissions in previous the days.

GPs across the country have also reported increased Covidlinked demand as practices indicate they have seen an uptick in patients with symptoms. Lis Galloway, a GP from Surrey, told The Independent she had seen a “significant jump” in positive Covid tests, with around 50 to 60 reported over the weekend when the practice would usually get between 10 and 20.

Dr Galloway said there was a “large rise in people making contact for symptom advice after doing their own lateral flows, too”, adding: “So far those causing clinical concern represent a small percentage, but we’ve given out a couple of home oxygen probes today for monitoring at home, and will be following them up daily. Cases seem to be in people in middle age, more than school age at the moment.” She said the network of practices locally had also seen a “swing upwards again”.