Thousands of new covid cases identified across Horsham, Crawley and Mid Sussex

In Horsham 3,895 people have received at least one positive Covid-19 test result, latest Government data shows.

Crawley has recorded 4,874 cases and Mid Sussex 4,888.

England as a whole has recorded 2,705,964 cases since records began early last year.

In the last seven days to Monday, January 11, Horsham recorded 777 new cases, a rate of 540.4; Crawley recorded 1,287 cases, a rate of 1,144.9; and Mid Sussex recorded 850 cases, a rate of 562.8.

West Sussex as a whole recorded 5,755 new cases in the same period, a rate of 666.1. In that time England recorded 354,232 cases, a rate of 629.3.

Since the beginning of the pandemic 125 people in Horsham have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test.

In Crawley 101 have died and 160 people have lost their lives in Mid Sussex.

In West Sussex 694 people have lost their lives within 28 days of a positive Covid test, according to Government data.

The seven day average of deaths is now at 9.7, equal to the peak of deaths last April during the first wave.

In England 71,534 people have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test since the start of the pandemic.

Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – which includes Worthing Hosppital and St Richard’s in Chichester – is currently treating 173 in hospital for coronavirus, 25 of whom are ventilated.

The trust serves a population of around 450,000 people across a catchment area covering most of West Sussex.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust – which runs East Surrey Hospital – has 209 patients in hospital, 16 of whom are ventilated. The trust serves around 535,000 in Sussex and Surrey.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals – which includes Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath – is treating 153 patients with Covid, 38 of whom are on ventilation.

Responding to the latest test and trace figures, Dr Layla McCay, director at the NHS Confederation, said the NHS is ‘very close’ to breaking point.

She added: “Protecting it means reducing the number of people with Covid who need hospital beds and other forms of healthcare so that the NHS can not only meet Covid demand, but also protect our friends, family, colleagues and loved ones who need the everyday care and treatment the NHS provides.

“Until the vaccine has been more widely rolled out, the most effective way to do this is to keep social contact to the absolute minimum.”