More visitors might be allowed at Northamptonshire hospitals and care homes while coronavirus infection rate is low

More visitors might be allowed at hospitals and care homes in Northamptonshire while the coronavirus infection rate remains relatively low.

People will be able to see their loved ones more than previously permitted during the 'window of opportunity', dependent on risk assessments.

Northamptonshire County Council director of public health Lucy Wightman revealed the 'good news' during the weekly Northamptonshire Covid-19 press conference today (Friday, October 2).

"Due to the window of opportunity as rates of infection are slightly lower, all healthcare settings are considering allowing visiting for short periods of time - this will be dependent on individual risk assessments," she said.

"We wanted to allow loved ones to get in touch with those in long-term settings. This is good news but we will monitor that as we may have to change it."

Hospital admissions for coronavirus patients remains low in Northamptonshire compared to the rest of the country with 11 beds occupied by those positive with Covid-19, equivalent to less than one per cent of overall beds.

But Ms Wightman warned that could change 'at the flip of a coin' as the situation with Covid-19 can change 'rapidly'.

"We have been reopening services in the NHS so acute settings are extraordinarily busy," she said.

"If we get an increase in Covid-19 demand, we will get an increased demand in other services where we might not be able to maintain this 'business as normal' approach, which has other affects."

Most of the increase in coronavirus cases complaining to doctors and 111 have been younger people who are less likely to be admitted to hospital.

However, Ms Wightman warned that if the onward transmission is not stopped then more vulnerable people could be at risk whose 'outcomes are not as good'.