• COVID-19 hospital cases rising in areas most affected by the variant first identified in India but not at an alarming rate.
• Trusts will monitor data closely over the next week.
• Public are encouraged to get vaccinated when they can.

The chief executive of NHS Providers, Chris Hopson spoke to Times Radio this morning about the variant first identified in India and pressures on local NHS trusts. Chris has also posted two tweet threads on this issue. Please find a summary comment below:

"Trust leaders are telling us that COVID-19 hospital cases are increasing steadily in areas most affected by the variant first identified in India but not at an alarming rate. The next seven days will be crucial, and trusts will be monitoring the data closely.

"Trust leaders say they have been struck by several developments over the last few weeks.

"First, how hospitalisations clearly seem to be focused amongst those patients who haven't been vaccinated yet. This hammers home just how important it is to have a vaccination and we would urge everyone to get their jab when they're offered one. We need to do more to encourage those who are eligible to have a jab to do so and to roll out jabs to younger age groups as soon as practically possible.

"Second, the proportion of those requiring critical care is lower than in previous waves, which trust leaders are putting down to the lower age range of patients than in previous COVID-19 waves.

"Third, trust leaders need far better communication around national public health advice. The confusion around local lockdowns over the last couple of days has been distinctly unhelpful. Not only must any changes in advice be agreed with the relevant local authorities but this needs to be shared with the public. People can't follow advice if they don't know it exists."