Covid: Nightingale hospitals in the north said to prepare

NHS Nightingale hospitals in Manchester, Sunderland and Harrogate are asked to prepare to receive patients.

Government advisers say that admissions are increasing, and that more seniors need urgent treatment for Covid.

There are now more people hospitalized with Covid than before the restrictions were announced in March.

England’s deputy chief medical officer said a “marked increase” in cases would lead to more deaths.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said: “Already, with the cases that we know of, we have generated additional hospital admissions and, unfortunately, we have also generated additional deaths that are now a consequence of infections that have already occurred.”

He warned that the coronavirus was spreading from the youngest age groups to those over 60, who are more vulnerable.

Cases are increasing in most of England, but the North West is the worst hit.

New local lockout rules for England will be announced later, and the Liverpool city region is expected to face the strictest restrictions under a three-tier system based on risk.

NHS England medical director Professor Stephen Powis warned that it would be “several weeks” before the benefit of any additional measures, such as closing bars, would reduce hospital admissions.