Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust closes three operating theatres to care for coronavirus patients

Chief executive Martin Barkley, speaking to The Independent, said: “We have seen an escalating number of Covid-positive inpatients at our trust. The number of Covid-positive patients has increased from 68 patients last week to 139 patients as of 8am on Monday 26 October.

“We have not yet had to implement all phases of our escalation plans, however, last week the trust made the crucial decision to close two elective theatres, and today a third one, at Pinderfields Hospital.

“This has meant some planned surgery has been postponed to free up staff to support critically unwell patients who are on ventilation. These colleagues are working on our ICU.”

South Yorkshire hospital trust also said the number of Covid-19 patients on its wards is now “far beyond the first wave earlier this year” after it saw one of its largest daily rises.

The trust which runs Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI) said it now has 201 patients who have tested positive, which is “almost double where we were last Sunday”.

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (DBTH) announced the figures amid reports that people admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in the North East and Yorkshire region could soon outstrip the North West.

The HSJ reported that the latest NHS data showed a 42% increase in patients admitted or newly diagnosed in North East and Yorkshire hospitals.

It said 12.2% of acute and general beds in South Yorkshire were occupied by Covid patients, according to the latest figures, which is up from 2.2% a month before.

DBTH said in a statement on Monday: “In the past 24 hours, we have admitted a number of patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 and, as a result, we are now caring for 201 such individuals – far beyond the first wave earlier this year.”

Of the 201, 164 are at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, 16 at Bassetlaw Hospital in Worksop, and 21 at Montagu Hospital in Mexborough.

It said that eight patients require critical care, with three on mechanical ventilation, 20 requiring non-invasive ventilation and 11 needing oxygen.

The trust said: “Please note, contrary to some claims on social media, this does not mean the other 150 or so patients do not require high levels of hospital care, it simply means they just do not need these specific interventions and treatments.”

It said that two more people had died with Covid-19 having played a significant factor in the cause of death but, in the 72 hours up to Sunday evening, 14 patients had left hospital.

The trust said: “Our health heroes within Team DBTH are doing a job which is beyond any kind words and superlatives we can muster. We are in awe of them every day, so please continue to share your support with these brave men and women, without whom we would be lost.

“Thank you, continue to protect the vulnerable amongst us and help us flatten the curve – and remember, sunshine follows thunder – we will get through this together as a community.”