Hull is facing a public health crisis

Hull is facing a public health crisis

The city's rolling seven-day rate of new cases on Thursday was 726 per 100,000 - the highest in England.

Hull is facing a public health crisis, a local health chief has warned as the city’s Covid-19 infection rates became the worst in England.

Julia Weldon, Hull’s director of public health, issued a plea for residents to follow coronavirus rules after a dramatic rise in cases and hospital admissions prompted the city’s emergency department to warn: “It’s bad this time round… really bad.”

She said the city wants the power to close certain schools for all except vulnerable children and key worker families if it is deemed necessary, as Covid cases continue to rise among teachers.

Latest figures revealed there were 161 patients with Covid-19 in Hull’s two hospitals on Wednesday, but Ms Weldon said this figure could soon rise to 400 or even 500 “in the next couple of weeks” given the current infection rates.

Hospitals in the city announced that some routine surgery would be cancelled due to the rising admissions.

According to figures released on Wednesday, there were 161 patients with Covid across HRI and Castle Hill Hospital – with 16 in intensive care.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said 265 people have died in the two hospitals since the pandemic began.

NHS figures show the trust was caring for just 14 patients with Covid a month ago on October 12, and this had risen to 68 by October 28.

Published: by Radio NewsHub
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