THE number of patients with Covid-19 in Bradford's hospitals has seen a huge rise since the start of the month. 

Latest figures show that there are currently 74 people with the virus across Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. 

That's a rise from 31 at the start of the month and 48 last week. 

There are 59 patients at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, with eight in intensive care, and 15 at Airedale, with four in intensive care. 

The West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) said: "Hospitals across West Yorkshire and Harrogate are continuing to see significant increases in Covid-19 patients and are asking the public to be patient while they deal with this surge in demand. 

"Since the end of May, when there 42 Covid-19 patients across the six hospital trusts that work together as WYAAT, figures released today (July 29) show there are 287 people receiving treatment across our hospitals. 32 of those are currently in intensive care units.

"This additional demand means we are prioritising those in the most urgent medical need and the time you may wait at an emergency department for more minor treatment could be impacted and you may have to wait longer than anticipated.

"Please also remember that while restrictions have been recently lifted there has been no change to the requirement to wear face masks and observe social distancing in hospitals and other clinical settings.  This is to help protect vulnerable patients and ensure our staff can continue to work in order to meet the significant demand facing the NHS."

Here are the latest figures:

Airedale NHS Foundation Trust  - 15 patients; four in ICU

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - 59 patients; eight in ICU

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust - 48 patients; five in ICU

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust- seven patients; one in ICU

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust - 97 patients; 13 in ICU

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust - 61 patients; one in ICU