THE number of Oxfordshire patients being treated in hospital for coronavirus has dropped in the past week, according to new NHS data.

Oxford University Hospitals Trust, which runs the John Radcliffe and the Churchill hospitals in Oxford and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury was caring for 55 coronavirus patients in hospital as of Tuesday, according to new figures.

NHS England data shows the number of people being treated in hospital for covid by 8am on August 23 was down from 66 on the same day the previous week.

The number of beds at the trust occupied by people who tested positive for covid decreased by 62 per cent in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 143.

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Across England there were 6,436 people in hospital with Covid as of August 23, with 135 of them in mechanical ventilation beds.

The number of covid patients hospitalised nationally has decreased by 47 per cent in the last four weeks, while the number on mechanical ventilators has decreased by 53 per cent.

The figures also show that 33 new covid patients were admitted to hospital at the trust in the week to August 21. This was down from 39 in the previous seven days.

People aged 50 years and older, residents in care homes for older people, those aged 5 years and over in a clinical risk group and health and social care staff will be offered a booster of coronavirus vaccine this autumn, starting from September.

Appointments will be available from the National Booking Service shortly.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi