A TOTAL of 218 people are in hospital with Covid-19 across the Bradford district, with numbers at Airedale tripling in two weeks.

The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership issues an update every Thursday at 2pm. 

The latest data shows 125 Covid-19 patients are being treated at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, a reduction from 135 the same time last week.

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust's Covid-19 patient number has risen from 62 to 93. In an update on January 7, the figure stood at 31, meaning numbers have tripled in two weeks. 

Rob Aitchison, Chief Operating Officer, said: “In recent weeks we’ve seen an increase in covid numbers in line with those seen at hospitals nationwide – this reflects the prevalence of Covid-19 in our communities.  

“Our staff continue to work tirelessly to provide excellent care to all our patients and I am enormously grateful to them. 

“We urge members of the public to follow the ‘hands, face, space’ guidance to keep themselves and each other safe, and avoid admission to hospital.”

Here are the latest figures for hospital trusts in the region (January 21)

The number shown in brackets is the previous week's figure (Jan 14)

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust - 93 (62)

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - 125 (135)

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust - 150 (113)

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust - 41 (47)

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - 259 (236)

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust - 228 (195)

The partnership said: "There is currently a combined total of 896 patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 receiving care in our hospitals across West Yorkshire and Harrogate, with 82 patients requiring intensive care.

"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."

In the January 14 update, there was 788 Covid-19 patients and 70 in intensive care.

They added: "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."