More than 100 Covid patients were being treated in hospital in Southampton as of Tuesday, new figures show.

NHS England data shows 104 people were being treated for Covid by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust by 8am on June 28.

The figure was up from 84 on the same day the previous week.

The number of beds at hospitals run by the trust occupied by people who tested positive for coronavirus increased by 93 per cent in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 54.

The increase in hospitalisations follows a recent rise in cases sparked by the spread of new Omicron variants.

As a result of the spike, which forced 19 bays at Southampton General Hospital to shut,  mask wearing will now be enforced in all areas of the hospital.

Across England there were 8,120 people in hospital with Covid as of June 28, with 205 of them in mechanical ventilation beds.

The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised nationally has increased by 101 per cent in the last four weeks, while the number on mechanical ventilators has increased by 72 per cent.

The figures also show that 87 new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust in the week to June 26. This was up from 68 in the previous seven days.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News