Coronavairus deaths in Northamptonshire pass a sobering milestone

NHS officials today confirmed the number coronavirus deaths at Northamptonshire hospitals and care homes now stands at over 800.

Today's bulletin showed four deaths occurred at Northampton General Hospital on Thursday (December 3) and two at Kettering General Hospital on successive days, Wednesday and Thursday.

All six had either tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days or had Covid-19 mentioned on a death certificate.

That takes the sad total to 805 since the first coronvarus-linked deaths in the county on March 16 — and 92-year-old in Northampton and father-of-two Craig Ruston, 45, who died at KGH where he was also being treated for motor neurone disease.

A further 168 coronavirus-related deaths among residents in county care homes have also been reported by the Care Quality Commission — including nine during the week ending November 27.

Northamptonshire's two acute NHS trusts have now seen 63 coronavirus patients die in the last three weeks — 37 at NGH and 26 at Kettering.

Increasing positive tests among older age groups have been a concern for county officials for a while now as those among the over-60s are more vulnerable to the virus and more likely to require hospital treatment.

Northampton and Kettering Group Chief Executive, Simon Weldon, said: “Every death is a tragedy and I would like to, once again, offer my condolences to all the families of patients who have died while in our care.

“We won’t know for some time what effect Covid has had on overall deaths but we do know Covid affects those with multiple conditions more severely and older people will tend to fall into that category so while they have been severely affected.

"It is not just older people who are getting ill, which is why we need everyone to please stick to the guidance.

“Even though there is a Covid vaccine on the horizon, we must all remain vigilant, particularly now the national lockdown has ended and we move into the new Tier 2 restrictions for Northamptonshire.

“So please stick to the rules, advice and guidance to reduce the spread of the virus, particularly washing your hands frequently, wearing a face covering, maintain social distancing, and reduce contact with other people as much as possible.

“We still need you to do everything you can to keep safe – protect yourselves so we can focus on the people who need us most.”

Covid-19 was already linked to 311 deaths in Northampton and 220 in Kettering, plus another 151 in county care homes, between March and August.