Health bosses in Bedford urge residents: ‘Play your part’ to stop Covid-19 spread

The call comes as cases continue to rise sharply in the town
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Health bosses in Bedford have joined forces with Bedford Borough Council to urge residents to ‘play their part’ and stick to the new lockdown rules, following a steep rise in new Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions in the town.

Patricia Davies, accountable officer for NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “The increase in infections is a cause for concern locally. We’re already seeing more patients that need urgent care as a result of Covid-19, and while we’ve learned so much about the disease in the last six months, there is a risk that unless we take action now, the NHS will come under more pressure than ever this winter.”

She added: “We know that residents have made many significant sacrifices in recent times but it has never been more important for us all to play our part and follow the national

Health bosses are urging residents to stick to the new lockdown rules, following a steep rise in new Covid-19 casesHealth bosses are urging residents to stick to the new lockdown rules, following a steep rise in new Covid-19 cases
Health bosses are urging residents to stick to the new lockdown rules, following a steep rise in new Covid-19 cases

restrictions. This will help to protect your friends, family and loved ones.”

Bedford residents were asked to take collective action to slow the increase in coronavirus cases in the summer, during a ‘deep dive’ into the number of infections by the council, public health, the NHS and the Joint Biosecurity Centre - but despite infections slowing, there has been a resurgence in recent weeks.

Paul Tisi, joint medical director at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “As we head into winter and into the second wave of the pandemic, hospital admissions are climbing steadily

and we need to do all we can to protect those who are most vulnerable.

“By acting now and following the guidance, you can help reduce the spread of the virus and help keep Covid-19 hospital admissions down.”