HOSPITALS across the district have seen an influx of patients testing positive for Covid-19.
The latest figures show that across Bradford Royal, St Luke’s and Airedale General hospitals staff were caring for a total of 26 patients with coronavirus.
NHS England data shows the number of people being treated in hospital with Covid-19 by 8am on August 20, was up from three on the same day the previous week.
Across England there were 2,508 people in hospital with Covid over the same period.
Nationally, the number of hospital patients with Covid-19 has more than doubled in the last four weeks.
At Bradford Teaching Hospitals Trust, which runs Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s Hospital, the number of patients with coronavirus was 19, up from three on the same day the previous week.
The figures also show that 18 new patients with Covid were admitted to hospital in Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the week to August 18.
A new sub-variant of the Omicron strain is thought to be behind the recent spike in numbers, although Bradford Teaching Hospitals also stressed that the majority of their affected patients are not in hospital for Covid reasons.
Meanwhile data for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Airedale Hospital, show staff were caring for seven patients with coronavirus in hospital as of August 20, up from none on the same day the previous week.
The figures also show that 10 new patients with Covid were admitted to hospital in Airedale NHS Foundation Trust in the week to August 18.
A spokesperson for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Along with other trusts, we are seeing an increase in the number of patients confirmed with Covid-19 in our hospitals. This reflects the overall increase in Covid-19 activity both regionally and nationally. The majority of patients are in hospital for non-Covid related reasons.
“A new sub-variant of Omicron (EG.5) has been identified which may be contributing to the increase in the number of cases. The data so far suggests that there is no evidence of increased disease severity and the symptoms are mild. There has been no change to national or local Covid-19 guidance.
“We are managing these increases in cases and continuing to keep our policies and guidance under review.”
A spokesperson for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust added: "In line with many other trusts nationally we have seen a recent rise in Covid-19 cases.
"We are managing them as per the national Covid-19 guideline and staff members who are caring directly for our patients with Covid-19 wear masks as per infection prevention guidelines. We have not re-introduced visitor restrictions, or extra mask-wearing."
They added that the autumn Covid-19 booster and flu vaccination programme will start in the next few weeks and urged those eligible to attend.
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