Bedford Hospital now treating 12 coronavirus patients

The number of coronavirus patients being treated at Bedford Hospital has risen to 12, it has been confirmed.

The current total of cases in the UK is 11,658 – a number that has doubled in the last three days.

Bracknell Forest and Hartlepool are the local authorities showing the least number of cases (three each), while Birmingham has the highest, with 290 recorded cases.

In a statement, the Bedford Hospital NHS Trust said, “We can confirm that as of 5pm yesterday (26 March) we were treating 12 patients at Bedford Hospital with confirmed COVID-19 (coronavirus).”

The public is urged to follow national guidance and stay at home if they have:

• a high temperature
• a new continuous cough

Please do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or into the hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home. However, please use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call NHS 111 if you cannot get help online. Full Public Health advice including how to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus can be found on the NHS website here.

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