Visiting restrictions imposed at Stamford Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital amid concern over Covid-19 cases

Visiting restrictions have once again been imposed at Stamford Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital as Covid-19 cases continue to rise.

In a statement, the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust said the restrictions imposed from today (Saturday, August 14) were due to a "concerning increase in cases of coronavirus in our local communities, as well as a low vaccination rate in our region".

Visiting will only be permitted except in the following circumstances:

• End of life patients – two people will be allowed to visit for patients receiving end of life care
• One parent/ carer per child – this is for children as inpatients as well as those attending for outpatient appointments or coming to the UTC or emergency department
• One carer is permitted for any patient requiring a carer who is an inpatient as well as those attending for outpatient appointments or coming to the UTC or emergency department
• Maternity services are not included within these restrictions – please visit the website for information specific to maternity

Chief medical officer Dr Kanchan Rege said: "We fully appreciate that not being able to visit a relative or friend is incredibly difficult and we are sorry we’ve had to reinstate restrictions at this level.

"Unfortunately we have seen a rise in cases within our hospitals in the last seven days – these are infections being brought in from outside visitors. Therefore we must take steps to protect our patients who are already vulnerable, and to protect our staff who are vital to us being able to continue treating our patients. The situation will be reviewed daily and we will look to reintroduce visiting as soon as it is safe enough to do so."

In the seven days to August 8, there were 45 cases in the Stamford Central area, representing a case rate of 400 in every 100,000 people. This was down 28.6 per cent on the previous week. In the same area, 86.7 per cent of people have received their first Covid-19 vaccination and 74.9 per cent have received their second dose, up to August 12.

Meanwhile in Peterborough Central, during the same time period, there were 68 cases - a rise of 161.5 per cent on the previous week, representing a case rate of 545 per 100,000 people. In the same area, 46.5 per cent of people have received their first Covid-19 vaccination and 33.3 per cent have received their second dose, up to August 12.