A hospital in Somerset has reported a coronavirus outbreak on "at least three" of its wards.
The incident happened at Yeovil Hospital, which said it is “managing” the outbreak and is taking steps to prevent further spread of the virus.
A spokesperson said those who tested positive “have no symptoms of the virus and are medically well”.
Yesterday it was reported that 598 people had died with coronavirus across the UK with 20,051 new infections.
Hospitalisations remain worryingly high, with 1,601 patients being admitted in just 24 hours yesterday.
That means that 15,830 people are being treated in hospital, a figure near the peak of the outbreak in April.
In a statement, Yeovil Hospital told SomersetLive : “We are currently managing an outbreak of Covid-19 within three wards and have taken a number of steps to minimise the impact and prevent further spread of the virus within the Hospital.
“This includes testing all patients and staff on the wards, restricting new admissions and visiting, a specialist cleaning regime, and distancing patients within the ward. We have also been in contact with the families of all patients staying on these wards to advise them of the actions being taken.
“As rates of Covid-19 continue to rise, outbreaks such as this are increasingly likely within hospitals. Our hospital is well practiced in managing such events and doing so in a way that enables other parts of the hospital to operate safely as normal.
“This situation is being managed and monitored by senior clinicians, in line with national policies and guidance, with our Infection Control Team working alongside the ward team to ensure the continued safety of patients and staff.”
It comes as a Yeovil care home announced a positive case of coronavirus was confirmed among staff, forcing them to isolate for the second time this month.
Yeovil District Hospital added in a its statement: “We would like to remind people of the crucial importance of following the ‘hands, face, space’ guidance to protect themselves, their families, friends and colleagues.
“If you have any symptoms of the virus, a high temperature, a loss or change to your sense of taste or smell, or a new continuous cough, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days and get a test.
"Those you live with must also isolate at home, for 14-days, but should only get a test if they develop symptoms themselves.”
