THE deputy medical directors at the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals and Poole Hospitals said there are “rigorous measures” in place as they prepare to face winter with coronavirus cases on the rise.

Last week, there was one patient with Covid-19 in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital who had tested positive, but they were not in intensive care.

A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed they had not been impacted by the rise of cases, but this may change.

Dr Matt Thomas and Dr Ruth Williamson, deputy medical directors for Poole and The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals respectively said: “Each winter our hospitals put in place extensive plans for caring for an increased numbers of patients, particularly with respiratory illness and the frail elderly.

“These plans also include the provision of extra orthopaedic capacity, for example for patients with fractured hips, and ensuring our assessment units are fully supported to focus on assessing, admitting or discharging patients in a timely way.

“We also ensure our staff are ready for winter too by encouraging as many as possible receive a flu vaccination.

“We have rigorous measures in place to ensure that we are able to provide care for everyone that needs it.

“This includes strict observance of infection control measures, and the creation of clinical spaces from admission to discharge that are dedicated to treating patients with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.

“Our Covid-19 response continues to be refined in the light of the latest clinical evidence and by experiences elsewhere, while significant numbers of staff have been trained in the care of patients with the illness and specialist clinical equipment needed for these patients, like ventilators, has been purchased.

“The public can support us this winter too, by following the latest guidance on responsible and safe hospital visiting, only attending hospital if absolutely necessary and by using alternative services like NHS 111, their GP, or a local pharmacy, where appropriate.”

11 people tested positive for coronavirus in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm yesterday, latest figures showed.

And the Government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warned cases could be at 50,000 a day by mid-October nationwide, with 200 deaths a day if the current infection rate is not halted.