ALMOST two-thirds of beds at the Countess of Chester are occupied by patients with Covid-19, according to its Chief Executive.

Dr Susan Gilby, who runs the Countess of Chester NHS Trust, tweeted on Sunday evening: “A week on from my plea from Chester — now 61 per cent of our beds occupied by patients who have Covid-19 disease. 

“They need our care. We are prepared to care for more,  but at some considerable human cost to staff, families & those who wait non covid care. PLEASE Stay at home!”

Last week, Dr Gilby revealed to Cheshire West’s Covid-19 outbreak board that her hospital had ‘the highest number in the north west of any hospital’.

At the time, the Countess hosted 231 coronavirus patients, and 21 in need of a mechanical ventilator — resulting in staff opening a fifth Covid-only ward.

Northwich Guardian: A graph showing how Covid-19 hospital bed occupancy has changed since August. Key: Blue - East Cheshire NHS Trust, Grey - Countess of Chester NHS Trust, Orange - Mid Cheshire NHS Trust. Data accurate as of January 8, 2021A graph showing how Covid-19 hospital bed occupancy has changed since August. Key: Blue - East Cheshire NHS Trust, Grey - Countess of Chester NHS Trust, Orange - Mid Cheshire NHS Trust. Data accurate as of January 8, 2021

She told councillors: “The Countess is in a really challenged position. We have had a lot of Covid in-patients since November, and we went into Christmas with 30 per cent of general and acute beds filled with patients who needed treatment for Covid.

“The thing we have noticed particularly today 9Wednesday, January 6) is that we have had a number of admissions of younger patients. We are seeing increasing numbers of people in their 40s or 50s admitted with chest problems.

“Today, we lost a 30 year old — it is affecting younger people in a pretty shocking way.”

CWAC’s Covid-19 outbreak board will next meet at 5.30pm on Wednesday, January 13.