Covid: increase in number of people being treated in hospital for coronavirus in England – here’s which regions are worst hit

Some regions in England are seeing a surge in coronavirus related hospitalisations.
NHS figures show 3,661 people were in hospital on 8 March as a result of contracting coronavirus.NHS figures show 3,661 people were in hospital on 8 March as a result of contracting coronavirus.
NHS figures show 3,661 people were in hospital on 8 March as a result of contracting coronavirus.

The number of people being treated in hospital because they have contracted Covid-19 is steadily rising in England, NationalWorld can reveal.

The number of patients being treated primarily for coronavirus has increased daily since 1 March, according to the latest figures published by NHS England.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Figures show 3,661 people were in hospital as a direct result of the disease on 8 March, an increase of 136 patients (or a 4% rise) on data recorded on 1 March. A further 4,908 also had coronavirus but were in hospital for different reasons.

Loading....

Some regions in England are seeing a surge in hospitalisations.

Between 1 and 8 March the South West has seen the greatest increase in hospitalisations with figures rising 17% from 384 to 450.

This is followed by the North West which has seen a 7% rise in hospitalisations as the number rose from 651 to 699. The South East, North East and Yorkshire and East of England have all also seen a rise in the number of people being treated in hospital because of the virus.

Loading....

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The total number of hospital beds occupied by confirmed coronavirus patients – including those not primarily in hospital because of Covid – has also increased, according to NHS England data.

For the same period covering the week  to 8 March there was a 7% rise in the number of beds occupied by coronavirus patients – an increase of 592 people. These figures include people who tested positive in hospital, or who already had Covid but were admitted primarily because of a different condition.

The health services in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales do not separate hospital figures in the same way as NHS England and only total hospital numbers are available.

How many people are on ventilators?

Hundreds of people are receiving specialist intensive care.

As of 9 March there were 235 people on mechanical ventilation beds –seven fewer than the day before. Since 1 March the number of people on mechanical ventilation beds has remained relatively stable, peaking at 249 on 2 March but reaching a low of 231 on 5 March.

Loading....

Which hospitals have the most Covid patients?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Separate data sourced from the UK Government shows a breakdown of hospital cases by NHS Trust.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had the greatest number of hospital cases as of 8 March with 240 patients. This is followed by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust which had 223 people in hospital and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust with 212.

Are coronavirus cases rising?

Government data showing the seven-day rolling sum of positive infections shows cases have also been rising in the UK.

The most recent figures for the week to 4 March show 274,378 infections were recorded – a 5% increase on the previous day’s figures.

Loading....

Are coronavirus deaths rising?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Because of vaccinations, deaths have not been following the same pattern, with the seven-day rolling average number of deaths steadily falling since mid-January.

But many people are still dying every day, according to Government figures. In the seven days to 5 March more than 604 deaths were recorded within 28 days of a positive test in the UK.

Loading....

What do covid experts say?

Martin Michaelis, professor of molecular medicine in the School of Biosciences at the University of Kent, said it is “difficult to estimate how the situation will further develop”.

“It is not entirely clear how effective future boosters will be,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Data are available suggesting that a fourth vaccination improves protection, but the additional impact may not be as pronounced as that provided by the third one.”

Currently people who are at the highest risk of developing severe coronavirus symptoms are receiving a fourth jab.

Professor Michaelis added: “Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether it makes sense to continue booster vaccinations with the original vaccine or whether Covid-19 vaccines need to be updated to cover novel variants more effectively."

As of 10 March 66.8% of the 12 and over population in the UK had received a booster vaccination. There is no data yet on fourth doses.

What is the UKHSA doing?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the situation is being monitored closely.

Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor at UKHSA, said: “Covid-19 is still circulating at high levels due to the high transmissibility of circulating variants and expected increases in social mixing.

“While rates of severe disease and death due to Covid-19 remain low, hospital admissions have seen a recent rise and we will continue to monitor this data closely.

Vaccination remains our first and best line of defence against illness, and it’s vital that everyone has had their latest dose. We can all help reduce transmission by wearing a face covering in crowded or enclosed spaces, washing hands regularly and keeping rooms well ventilated.”

A message from the editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going. You can also sign up to our newsletters and get a curated selection of our best reads to your inbox every day.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.