NO further Covid deaths have been reported from Airedale General Hospitals for several weeks, meaning the current total of coronavirus-related deaths at the hospital currently total 260.

However, the hospital urges people to continue following the guidelines as the number of patients being treated for the virus reduces.

As a comparison, as of yesterday, May 6, Airedale had just one patient being treated for Covid-19, while in January, for example, during the latest 'wave' that figure was 100, equating to almost a third of the hospital’s bed base. 

However, bosses have said we are not out of the woods yet, and numbers could still rise if controlling measures are not followed fully.

Rob Aitchison, Airedale NHS FT chief operating officer, said: “While our numbers continue to fluctuate, and we continue to see Covid-19 presentations, it is great news that we are seeing fewer hospitalisations from coronavirus.

“Thanks to the efforts of NHS staff in rolling out the vaccination programme at speed, we can start to see hope at the end of a challenging year for us all.

“I would urge anyone who is eligible and who hasn’t yet had the vaccine, to get theirs as soon as possible.

“While we are starting to see signs of normal life returning, it is important to continue to follow government guidance: I would ask everyone in our community to continue observing hands – face – space - fresh air.

“While it has been a hard year for everyone, I would like to pay tribute to our staff across our hospital and community services, and across our health and care partners, who continue to work tirelessly in incredibly difficult circumstances to care for people who needed it.”