Hospitals in Calderdale and Huddersfield suspend visiting

Friends and relatives are no longer allowed to visit either Huddersfield Royal Infirmary or Calderdale Royal Hospital after the ban came into effect late on Tuesday, 4 January.The decision has been taken by NHS chiefs in a bid to prevent further Omicron Covid-19 infections among staff and patients.The new rules came into effect after the latest NHS data showed there were 139 Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust staff off work with Covid-19 on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.That figure has been rising steadily for several weeks and it is likely to now be even higher.The Trust is not alone in imposing such restrictions.

Many other Trusts across Yorkshire, including those in Leeds, York, Sheffield, Doncaster and Rotherham, have banned almost all visitors in recent days.

Chief operating officer Jo Fawcus said: "We have seen a substantial increase in the number of patients who are Covid positive."We know how important visiting is both to our patients and their loved ones and so this clinical decision to suspend all but the most essential on-site patient visiting was tough one to make. We are continually reviewing the situation and will post updates on our social media channels and our website."Thank you for your continued support and understanding through these incredibly challenging times."

It means patients can now only contact their loved ones in one of three ways.They can set up a virtual visit on a handheld device or write a lettervia this online link. Alternatively, friends, relatives and carers can ring the dedicatedrelatives' line seven days a week by calling 01484 355370 between 7.30am and 7.30pm.