Health chiefs urge people across Harborough to stay at home as Leicester’s hospitals come under 'extreme pressure'

Health chiefs are urging people across Harborough to follow Covid lockdown rules “to the letter” as Leicester’s hospitals come under “extreme pressure”.

The powerful plea for people to stay at home and stay safe comes from Caroline Trevithick, executive director of nursing, quality and performance for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups.

She warned that NHS staff are being stretched to the limit as Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General Hospital and Glenfield Hospital treat a record number of coronavirus patients.

Mrs Trevithick told the Harborough Mail: “All our health services are under extreme pressure with our hospitals treating more Covid patients than at any point before in this pandemic, combined with seasonal increased demand for health services.

“The vaccine is key to beating Covid.

“But until more people are vaccinated, everyone should follow the lockdown rules to the letter.”

She implored people only to leave home and go out if it was absolutely essential over the next few weeks.

“It has never been as important to do this as it is now, to protect the health of people we may know and care about in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“We all need to do everything we can to keep each other safe and stop the spread,” said Mrs Trevithick, as she echoed Prof Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer.

“Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives.”

Her message was backed up by Harborough MP Neil O’Brien.

Neil told the Mail: “It’s a real race against time to vaccinate as many people as we can as quickly as we can as Covid transmission rates shoot up sharply across the Midlands.

“You have to behave as if you already have Covid.

“Stay at home and avoid indoor spaces at all costs.

“Don’t mix with other people outside your home.”

The Conservative MP stressed: “Only go out to exercise, buy food and other essential supplies and medication.

“Work at home if you can.

“So let’s all work together to stop this terrible virus spreading as we work to roll out the new vaccines over the next few days and weeks.”