OXFORDSHIRE hospitals are bringing back some coronavirus restrictions as cases continue to rise.

The total number of cases in the county increased by almost 40 per cent in one week, with 2043 people currently testing positive.

In Oxford, the number went up to 480 from 337 in one week, an increase of 42.3 per cent, putting the infection rate at 316.7 per 100,000 of the population.

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The highest number of cases was reported in Headington, where 41 people tested positive compared to 37 last week.

Cases for other areas are as follows: Oxford Central, 41; East Central Oxford, 40; North Central Oxford, 24; Summertown, 14; Marston, 22; Osney, Jericho & Port Meadow, 23; Grandpont & New Hinksey, 22; Churchill, 15; Cowley South & Iffley, 39; Cowley North, 29. 

As of today (July 6), Oxford Health has reintroduced mask wearing in all their clinical areas, including wards, minor injury and first aid units, outpatient clinics and out of hours services.

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Chief nurse Marie Crofts said: “We have a duty of care to our patients and staff to do all we can to limit the risk of infection. So, with COVID-19 on the increase in the community, we ask you to please wear a mask while you are with us. Together we need to do all we can to protect each other and our patients.

“Masks are available at all our facilities. Please continue to clean your hands on entering any of our facilities and as often as possible using soap and water or hand sanitiser.”

Oxford University Hospitals also published new guidance around wearing face masks in their buildings starting from today.

Their patients must wear masks in the following areas and under certain conditions:

• if they have symptoms of covid, or have tested positive for covid

• if they have symptoms of a respiratory illness

•  in clinical areas, such as on wards.

They said patients do not have to wear masks in other areas, but are encouraged to do so, while visitors must wear masks in all clinical areas.

Dr Anny Sykes, interim chief medical officer at OUH, said: “We will continue to support our patients and their visitors to wear face masks in all areas of our hospitals if that is their preference, and mask dispensers will remain in place in the various entrances to our hospitals.

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“Please continue to clean your hands on entering any of our facilities and as often as possible using soap and water or hand sanitiser.

“Please do not visit our hospitals if you have flu-like symptoms, covid symptoms, currently have or had diarrhoea and vomiting in the past 48 hours. We will continue to keep this updated guidance under review’’.