More than 400 people are currently in hospital because of Covid in the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG area, it has been revealed.

As of Monday January 25, a total of 423 Covid inpatients were being treated across all providers - double the figure recorded during the first wave.

In Salisbury, the number is four times higher than during the first peak, according to the boss of the local CCG.

Speaking at a media briefing on January 26, Tracey Cox, Chief Executive of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group said: "Whilst our community infection rates are beginning to drop a little, we are still facing significant pressure across our health and care system in terms of the number of inpatient Covid cases that we're seeing compared to the first wave."

The total figure of 423 cases "equates to twice the level of activity overall that we experienced in phase one".

At Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, "that's four time the level that they had in response to the first wave," Mrs Cox said.

The overall figure provided does not include patients who are recovering from Covid but are still in hospital.

The peak of the second wave is expected to have been hit around January 21, however, the pressure faced by hospital staff is likely to continue for "at least" the next two weeks.

Although some routine operations have had to be cancelled and minor injuries units have had to be closed, Mrs Cox said the NHS is still open for businesses.

People with worrying symptoms are encourged to contact their GP or NHS 111 and make sure they attend their appointments.