More places will be moving to higher tiers from midnight tonight, including Salisbury and Wiltshire. The tightening of the restrictions is aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus which is currently under control due to a number of more infectious variants that have been detected across the country. But what is the decision based on? According to the government website, there are five indicators determining which area falls into which tier. These are:
case detection rates in the over-60s
the rate at which cases are rising or falling
positivity rate (the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken)
Covid-19: Salisbury District Hospital under intense pressure
Published
image copyrightPA Media
image captionThe hospital advised people visiting that it is essential to follow all advice and guidance from ward staff
A continued rise in the number of Covid-19 patients is putting Salisbury District Hospital under intense and significant pressure, it said.
The hospital is seeing equivalent numbers of Covid patients to the high point in April during the first wave of the virus, the BBC understands.
The hospital in Wiltshire is currently in tier two, but borders tier four Hampshire and Berkshire.
It asked the public to only come to A&E if they have a genuine emergency .
After an incredibly tough and disappointing year, this Christmas we are all looking forward to a more positive 2021. The pandemic has brought heartbreak, worry and frustration with all our lives having been affected and disrupted in one way or another. But if there’s one good thing coronavirus has done, it has shed light on how strong our community can be when we all come together. This year, there have been plenty of examples of strong community spirit and lots of feel-good stories have been printed based on kind-hearted individuals who put others above themselves. With that in mind, the Salisbury Journal has been recognising those who, in the past few months, have gone out of their way to support their community and play their part.
Salisbury District Hospital has recorded a new coronavirus death amid a recent rise in cases. As of 8.15am today (December 21), 22 inpatients who have tested positive for Covid-19 are being cared for at the city s hospital. On Sunday (December 20), a man in his 90s became the latest patient to have passed away having contracted the virus. A spokesperson from Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said: Sadly a total of 68 patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 have died at Salisbury District Hospital. A man in his nineties died on 20th December 2020. Our thoughts and condolences are with the patient’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.