THE number of patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 and are receiving care at Airedale Hospital has doubled in a week, according to figures released by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health Care Partnership.

The figures, released on Thursday, show a combined total of 788 patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 receiving care in hospitals across West Yorkshire and Harrogate, with 70 patients requiring intensive care. Those numbers are up from Thursday, January 7, when the figures were 640 and 54 intensive care patients, respectively.

The Airedale NHS Foundation Trust had 62 Covid-19 patients receiving care on Thursday, January 14, compared to 31 the previous week.

There was a modest increase at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, which had 135 Covid-19 patients on Thursday, compared to 130 the previous week.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foudation Trust had rise in a week with the number of Covid-19 patients increasing from 81 to 113, and The Leeds Teaching Hospitals also increased from 187 to 236 patients.

A spokeperson from the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health Care Partnership said: "The number of Covid-19 patients in our hospitals continues to rise and the new strain of Covid-19 is increasingly prevalent in our communities.

"Staff from across our trusts have been working exceptionally hard under these difficult circumstances to continue providing urgent care for our patients and we thank them for the incredible job that they are doing.

"As the numbers of Covid-19 patients admitted to our hospitals is increasing, it is now more important than ever that people across West Yorkshire and Harrogate keep themselves safe by washing their hands, wearing masks, social-distancing, and adhering to national Government guidance. It is only by doing this that we can make sure our local NHS can provide urgent and emergency care for all those who need it.

"Emergency departments across West Yorkshire and Harrogate are currently very busy. You can help your local NHS by choosing the most appropriate service for your needs. If your condition is not life-threatening, call NHS 111 for advice on what to do next.

"Due to the significant increase in the number of Covid-19 patients admitted to our hospitals, a number of trusts have needed to postpone some non-urgent planned procedures. Each trust’s current position on planned surgery is available on individual trust websites.

"Our hospitals are among those beginning to vaccinate with the Covid-19 vaccination. If you are in a priority group eligible for vaccination, you will be contacted to book an appointment."