Second Covid-19 patient dies at Northampton General Hospital

'We have got better at treating the virus but it is still an incredibly serious illness for people,' warns CEO
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NHS England has confirmed two Covid-19 patients died on the same day at Northampton General Hospital earlier this week.

The latest daily bulletin today (Saturday) revealed a second victim died on Tuesday (October 13).

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Previous data had also confirmed a fatality on Tuesday — the first among coronavirus patients at the hospital since August 2.

Delays in reporting and registration can mean delays of up to four days or more in deaths being added to the official NHS England tally.

Today's sad news follows the announcement of two deaths among Covid-19 patients at neighbouring Kettering General Hospital, both within the last ten days.

NHS analysts collate information on patients who have died in hospitals in England and either tested positive for Covid-19 or where no positive test result was received but Covid-19 is mentioned on a death certificate.

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CEO of Northampton and Kettering hospitals management group, Simon Weldon, revealed on Friday there are currently 12 patients who have tested positive for coronavirus being treated in intensive care.

NHS England confirmed the deaths of two Covid-19 patients in Northampton on Tuesday. Photo: Getty ImagesNHS England confirmed the deaths of two Covid-19 patients in Northampton on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images
NHS England confirmed the deaths of two Covid-19 patients in Northampton on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images

Mr Weldon told the weekly Covid-19 media briefing: "These are the first deaths in a while and that should make us all pause and reflect that inevitably when community transmission increases that will pass into hospitals and will sooner or later result in sadly people passing away.

"I'd just like to say on behalf of hospitals we fully recognises every one of those deaths is an irredeemable tragedy for families involved. We feel every one of those losses and try to do everything we can to help and support people in those situations.

"We have learned huge amounts about the virus and since first wave we have got better at treating the illness. That does not mean it is not an incredibly serious issue for people."

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Covid-19 was linked to 311 deaths in Northampton and 220 in Kettering between March and August.

Northamptonshire acute hospitals CEO Simon WeldonNorthamptonshire acute hospitals CEO Simon Weldon
Northamptonshire acute hospitals CEO Simon Weldon

A further 151 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in the county's care homes.

Northamptonshire has seen 747 new Covid-19 cases confirmed by positive tests in the last week, with the highest infection rates now appearing in Northampton, Wellingborough and parts of South Northamptonshire.

The unofficial rate of infection in Northamptonshire is 100.5 per 100,000 people following the addition of 70 new cases to Government figures last night (Friday).

Nottingham continues to have the highest rate of new cases in England, reporting around 3,070 new cases in the seven days to 11 October — equating to 922.2 cases per 100,000.