The number of patients with COVID-19 at hospital in Herefordshire is rising, as infection rates in the county hit record levels, prompting Wye Valley NHS Trust to urge local residents to remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Latest data released by NHS England shows that on the 4th January, a total of 25 patients at hospitals in Herefordshire (Wye Valley NHS Trust) had COVID-19. This is an increase from Christmas Eve when just seven patients were recorded as having the virus at hospital. It must be noted that the numbers still remain well short of the peak early last year (2021) when more than 100 patients were recorded as having COVID-19 at hospitals in the county.
The good news, is that on 4th January, data showed that no patients were requiring mechanical ventilation for COVID-19.
This all comes as COVID-19 cases continue to sharply rise in Herefordshire, with record levels of infection recorded across the majority of the county. In the seven day period ending 1st January, a total of 2,494 cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Herefordshire. This is an increase of 100.8% on the previous seven day period and means that the COVID-19 infection rate in Herefordshire is currently 1,288 cases per 100,000 population.
Due to the increase in cases both locally and nationally, Wye Valley NHS Trust is urging local residents to remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.
A spokesperson for Wye Valley NHS Trust told Your Herefordshire:
“As expected, with the increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases in the community, we are seeing an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 inpatients in our hospitals.
“We would urge the public to make sure they are up to date with the COVID vaccinations, including the booster vaccination as a matter of urgency, to help reduce the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.
“A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is available for everyone aged 18 and over, and some people aged 16 and over, who have had two doses of the vaccine at least three months ago. Everyone aged 12 and over can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the vaccine. To book vaccination/booster visit:
•www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/
•For more information about where to get vaccinated, follow this link
•Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site – NHS (www.nhs.uk)”
