THE COVID-19 death toll at Warrington hospital has now sadly exceeded 200 patients following two more deaths.
A total of 201 patients have now sadly died at the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.
Latest figures from Warrington & Halton Hospitals updated Thursday November 4 2020 – Wednesday’s figures in brackets. Figures are not updated at weekends.
Covid-19 positive inpatients 154 (154) – Of which 18 (19) are in ICU
Total number of tests (inpatients/community) cumulative – 33,266 (32,956)
Total tests with a positive result (inpatients/community/died/discharged) cumulative 2,260 (2,224)
Discharges of positive patients (excluding deaths) cumulative 646 (631)
Deaths of Covid-19 positive inpatients cumulative 201 (199)
*Owing to technical difficulties the daily data for England has not been updated by Public Health England.
Meanwhile Public health leaders in Warrington are reminding residents of new restrictions.
From today, there are new laws in place to reduce social contact, with the government ordering certain businesses and venues to close until Wednesday 2 December.
This new ‘national lockdown’ has been introduced due to coronavirus case numbers continuing to rise rapidly across the country.
These new measures should help to reduce the growth rate of the virus, which will:
·prevent the NHS and care services from being overwhelmed
·ensure schools, colleges and universities can stay open
·ensure that as many people as possible can continue to work
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, Warrington council’s cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “As case numbers continue to rise, we must all act now to control the spread of the virus. The single most important action we can all take is to follow these new rules and stay at home as much as possible to reduce transmission within the community.
“I want to thank all of our residents for the commitment they have shown over the last seven months to follow the rules and restrictions, but we still need to remain disciplined. Please make sure you are adhering to the rules, not just to protect yourself from getting ill with the virus, but to protect others you could unknowingly pass the virus on to, like grandparents or vulnerable people who could become very poorly.
“Don’t forget the basics alongside the additional rules, like washing your hands often, wearing a face covering, and maintaining social distance when you have to leave home for essential purposes, as these are the most effective steps we can all take. I’m confident that if we all work together, we will be able to bring our case numbers under control.
“This is a time to pull together as a nation, and as the strong community we are in Warrington to really make a difference.”
Thara Raj, Warrington’s director of public health, said: “Coronavirus is affecting everyone – from younger, seemingly healthy people, to people who may become seriously ill like the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. The current capacity in our hospital, and the availability of intensive care beds is at a critical point, with more people being admitted into hospital, at the beginning of what will be a challenging winter. We need to do all we can to reduce the strain on our hospital and to avoid losing more people to the virus.
“I am urging residents to make a special effort over the next four weeks to bring our case numbers down – let’s not put more people at risk. It’s also important that we think about how we can help those who may be struggling with the reality of a second lockdown. There are lots of support services available to help you if you feel low, anxious or depressed – and offering a listening ear over the phone and small acts of kindness can make all the difference.”
Warrington’s mental health awareness website – happyoksad.warrington.gov.uk – has a directory of online, local and national support services available to help improve your mood, and details of what to do if you, or someone you know, is having a mental health crisis.
The national restrictions will be in force until Wednesday 2 December, when they will be reviewed. Councils are awaiting further guidance from government about what the next steps will be after this period.
