Portsmouth health boss at QA Hospital warns they are still treating 'high numbers of seriously ill Covid patients'

John Knight, medical director at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, has urged residents to follow the new tier rules after speaking out about the high numbers of patients that are being treated in the intensive critical care unit at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

The trust was caring for 137 coronavirus patients in hospital as of Tuesday last week, NHS England figures show.

The number of hospital beds occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 has more than quadrupled in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 31.

But coronavirus infections rates across the city have seen a drop with 138 new infections per 100,000 population in the seven days to November 25 - a drop from 314 in just 12 days.

In a tweet yesterday, Mr Knighton wrote: ‘As MPs debate tier system, news is full of falling Covid rates: that is not our experience.

‘We are treating high numbers of seriously ill patients in [intensive care unit] and [the respiratory high care unit].

‘We will always look after everyone to the absolute best of our ability. It’s physically and emotionally hard work. It takes its toll on staff.

‘Let’s hope everyone acts responsibly. Covid has not gone away’.

SEE ALSO: Live updates as shops reopen and tier two restrictions come into force

Last night MPs voted through the new tier system, which began today, and sees Portsmouth and Hampshire in tier two, which means no mixing with other households indoors, the rule of six applies outdoors and pubs, restaurants and hairdressers are among the businesses allowed to reopen.

Portsmouth City Council leader, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson told The News yesterday that he hopes to see all of Hampshire placed in tier one at the next review of restrictions following the drop in Covid-19 case rates.

He said: ‘If we can continue like this with a bit of luck when all tiers are reviewed I hope we can get Hampshire into tier one.’

‘We’ve got to make sure that we beat the virus and it looks as if the actions people are taking is making a real difference to bringing that down.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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