Eight Covid-19 patients being cared for in hospital by Bedfordshire Hospitals Trust as the borough battles the Indian variant of concern

The number of Covid-19 cases in Bedford has risen sharply recently as the borough battles the Indian variant of concern - but the number of patients in hospital remains low.

Bedfordshire Hospitals Trust was caring for eight coronavirus patients in hospital as of Tuesday, figures show.

NHS England data shows the number of people being treated in hospital for Covid-19 by 8am on May 18 was down from nine on the same day the previous week.

The number of beds at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 decreased by 38 per cent in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 13.

Across England there were 749 people in hospital with Covid as of May 18, with 114 of them in mechanical ventilation beds.

The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised nationally has decreased by 55 per cent in the last four weeks, while the number on mechanical ventilators has decreased by 58 per cent.

The figures also show that 12 new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the week to May 16. This was up from 11 in the previous seven days.