A doubling in the Covid rate across the Swindon CCG area has sparked a warning from health leaders.

Last month the government lifted all coronavirus restrictions in the country and now cases locally - as well as nationally - have started to rise again. 

The latest figures show more than 1,100 people in Swindon, Wiltshire and Bath & North East Somerset are now testing positive for Covid-19 each day. 

This is a significant increase on the previous week, when the daily number of local positive test results stood at around 560.

The increase, which has also resulted in more people needing to be admitted to the Great Western Hospital, has led to calls for people not to become complacent, and to remember to wear face coverings and observe social distancing wherever possible.

CCH director of nursing and quality Gill May said: “Covid-19 is still very much with us, and these latest figures show it is still causing misery for hundreds of people in our region, as well as adding significant pressure to our already-stretched health and care services.

“We can all help to reduce the spread of coronavirus by remembering the lessons of the last two years and acting in a way that keeps ourselves and those around us safe.

“That means continuing with mask wearing and social distancing wherever possible, but especially in hospitals and GP practices, staying home and away from others when showing signs of Covid-19 and getting all necessary doses of the coronavirus vaccine.”

Currently, the region’s three large hospitals – GWH as well as the Royal United Hospital in Bath and the Salisbury District Hospital - are caring for more than 170 people with Covid-19.

This figure has risen sharply in just the last few weeks, and is one of the reasons why coronavirus safety measures remain in place in all local health settings.

Medical director for GWH NHS Foundation Trust Dr Jon Westbrook,said: “We are still seeing high numbers of Covid-19 patients in hospital so it’s really important that we continue to do what we can to stop the spread of the virus.

“We want to be clear that all safety measures will remain in place across our hospital, community services and GP practices to keep our staff, patients and visitors safe.

He added this includes wearing face masks, washing hands and stated that visiting restrictions also still remain. 

The Covid-19 vaccine continues to be available across the region.

Details of all local vaccination sites, including those which do not require a pre-booked appointment, can be found online at www.nhs.uk

For more information about the local rollout of the vaccine, visit www.bswccg.nhs.uk