Number of patients in hospitals shows true extent of Covid pressure

This winter has seen unimaginable pressure on our hospitals. Operating theatres have been converted into Covid wards. Children's wards have been repurposed.  Planned procedures have again been cancelled.

It's worth thinking back to April of 2020, when we feared that Midlands hospitals would be overwhelmed by the numbers. In Birmingham, they came within days of not being able to cope.  

But although there is now extra capacity, and better treatment, the situation is so much worse.

• How are Midlands hospitals coping with the Covid pandemic?

• Adult Covid patients take over children's ICU

• Inside one Midlands hospital as Coronavirus takes over

• What's it like for NHS workers? Photo shows grim reality

This graph tells the story:

On the left is that April peak in Covid patients. On the right, is the situation now. In many cases hospitals are dealing with more than double the numbers on the wards back in April.

But there is reason to hope that a corner is being turned. 

In a few days at the end of last week, the number of new Covid patients being admitted to hospital fell dramatically - by more than a third. If that continues, the pressure on the wards will start to ease in the coming days.

Read more:

• What are the infection rates in the Midlands?

• How many people have had the Covid vaccine?