THE NHS Trust which runs Leighton Hospital is currently treating more patients for Covid-19 than any other point during the pandemic.

Data released by Public Health England today (January 22) shows that the Mid Cheshire NHS Trust had 209 Covid-19 patients, on Tuesday (January 19).

That’s an increase of six from the previous week.

It’s a similar picture at The Countess of Chester hospital, with its 287 patients a record, and comes in the week Trust boss Dr Susan Gilby pleaded with residents to follow government lockdown rules.

Dr Gilby said: “Over 270 patients are requiring care in beds in our hospital as a result of Covid-19 disease.

“That is 180 per cent more than required our help in the first wave of the pandemic.

“We have moved whole surgical services out of the Trust and into other hospital;s in Liverpool.

“We are currently unable to staff these wards without the support of our paediatric nurses and doctors who normally only look after children.

“I have never in my 29 year career in medicine seen a situation where we have had to ask children’s nurses to care for the elderley.

“Please, we want to be here for you when you need us, we are here, we will find a way to look after you.

“In the meantime while we roll out the vaccination programme, which we are doing with tremendous success, I am pleading with you — please follow the rules.”

Elsewhere, further increases in admissions meant East Cheshire NHS Trust is close to equalling its previous record of patients.

As of January 19, the Trust which runs Macclesfield Hospital was caring for 114 coronavirus patients, close to the 118-high seen on January 6.