Hospital staff in East Yorkshire are celebrating the successful discharge of more than 300 patients treated for coronavirus.
The figures come just two weeks after Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, which runs Hull Royal Infirmary (HRI) and Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, announced the 200th COVID-19 patient had recovered and gone home.
Members of the public reacted enthusiastically to the earlier figure, with one follower of the Castle Hill facebook page describing it as “wonderful news” and a HRI facebook follower saying “it really is so nice to hear something so positive after weeks of awful news… well done to all the staff on the front line, you’re doing an amazing job.”
Now a further 100 people who have been cared for at the two hospitals, including 30 patients who had received the highest level of treatment in intensive care, have been deemed well enough to leave hospital, taking the total discharged to 304.
Chief executive, Chris Long
Chris Long, chief executive of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust says:
“In the current climate, it’s the positive news that keeps many of us going. Three hundred patients successfully treated for coronavirus and now discharged home from our hospitals is another fantastic milestone. It gives us all hope, it shows that an increasing number of people are beating the virus, and it’s testament to the great care being provided by our staff.”
While the figures do paint an encouraging picture, Chris is urging the public not to become complacent.
“It’s great to see so many people recovering, but we must still remember that 130 people have died in our local hospitals with coronavirus too. COVID-19 is not to be underestimated.
“The best way to help our staff and to protect our local communities is still to stay home if you can and prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing really does seem to be having an impact, so we’d really urge people to continue their efforts in this respect.”