At least 25 patients across three Essex hospitals have all tested positive for Covid-19, staff have been told.
NHS staff at Basildon, Southend, and Broomfield hospitals have all been made aware of the positive tests across several wards.
This comes as Basildon Hospital saw an outbreak of Covid-19 last week, with eight patients and 13 staff all testing positive for the virus.
Hospital chiefs say the rise in cases is "as expected."
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The email to staff, which the Echo has seen, reads: "We are starting to see an increase in the number of inpatients who have tested positive for COVID-19.
"Today we have 25 on our wards across the three main sites.
"It is more important than ever that we protect ourselves so that we can keep our patients and our colleagues safe.
"Please ensure you are using the correct PPE and following the guidance on hand washing, social distancing and the wearing of masks.
"This is important at all times – not just when you are at our hospitals.
"We’d particularly like to remind people who car share that they should be wearing masks.
"An enormous amount of work continues to take place to prepare our hospitals and staff for a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases, coupled with the normal demand that winter brings."
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