HOSPITAL chiefs in Crewe say they are under "considerable pressure" with the numbers of Covid-19 patients soaring above the peak of the first wave.

Extra beds have been opened to meet demand at Leighton Hospital where a dedicated 60-bed high-risk Covid zone was in place during the first phase of the pandemic back in March and April.

Then the numbers of Covid patients treated was at its peak at 86 in the week of April 5.

But the latest government figures show that on December 23 Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust, which runs the Crewe medical complex, was treating 109 Covid-19 patients, eight of whom needed to be ventillated in intensive care.

There was a near 60 per cent rise in the admission of coronavirus patients to the 545-bed hospital site in the week up to December 20.

There have been fears elsewhere in the country that the surge in Covid cases will put too much pressure on scarce intensive care beds.

As well as extra beds Leighton is also working in partnership with other hospitals across the Cheshire and Merseyside region to acquire support when bed capacity is under pressure.

The trust has also started testing asymptomatic staff in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.

A Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: "We are under considerable pressure as we look after a rising number of Covid-19 patients and are now treating more Covid patients than at the peak of the first wave of the virus.

"Our staff continue to work tirelessly to maintain services and deliver the highest quality of healthcare to local people supported by the recent introduction of asymptomatic staff testing and the opening of additional beds to help meet demand.

"It is vital everyone does what they can to help minimise the spread of the virus, particularly by following government guidelines to wash your hands regularly, where a face covering where appropriate, and maintain social distancing."

Hospital chiefs say they are working with the North West Ambulance Service to ensure patients are admitted to hospital as quickly as possible on arrival and waiting times are minimised.

The spokesperson added: "We are asking patients with minor injuries to please contact NHS 111 First, rather than coming straight to the emergency department."

The new service, which was rolled out at the start of December, is aimed at directing people to the most appropriate place for care.

You can also call NHS 111, but in an emergency and for life threatening conditions, call 999.