WHEREVER there are large numbers of people, the coronavirus risk is greatest. Our hospitals are no exception.

New figures have shone a light on Covid-19 impact on Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals, where more than 850 patients are believed to have contracted the virus.

NHS statistics, from August 1 and March 21, show 854 people were thought to have been infected with Covid-19 at Mid and South Essex hospitals, while being treated for other conditions.

The highest number of such transmissions was recorded in January alone, when 298 people were believed to have been infected in hospital.

The three hospitals cared for 6,272 Covid-19 patients between August 1 and March 21 – meaning 14 per cent are thought to have contracted the disease in hospital.

NHS bosses insist every step is taken to stop the spread of the disease with meticulous cleaning regimes and routine Covid tests on all new admissions are among a series of measures to tackle the coronavirus threat head-on.

A spokesman for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust – which oversees the three hospitals – stressed the “root cause” of infection rates in hospitals is Covid rates in the community.

This means it has been essential to take all steps necessary to “control the pandemic”.

A spokesman for the trust said: “Our teams follow rigorous infection prevention and control measures, including wearing PPE, carrying out extra cleaning, routinely testing all new admissions and inpatients for Covid-19 and zoning the hospital to keep patients and staff as safe as possible.”

The enduring message to get tested, get vaccinated, keep your distance, wash your hands and wear a mask is critical in keeping case rates low in our hospitals and the community, council bosses say.

They also stress the number of cases contracted in hospitals is low compared to community settings.

A Southend Council spokesman said: “These figures support national studies showing that the proportion of Covid-19 cases linked to hospital transmissions is relatively small compared to transmission in the community, and highlight the importance of getting regularly tested and following the rules in place.”

Krishna Ramkhelawon, director of public health for Southend Council, has urged residents to keep getting tested and abiding by the Government Covid rules.

He said: “Getting regular community testing is the only way to make sure we are not unknowingly spreading the virus and the only way to protect our loved ones and the community.

“Even as the vaccination programme is further advanced, it is still important to get regularly tested and adhere to the rules in place including hands, face, space, and if meeting outdoors please stay safe and stay two metres apart from those you don’t live with, even if you have been fully or partially vaccinated.”

Responding to the national picture, the British Medical Association said the NHS was already overstretched before the pandemic and warned bed capacity and staffing must be increased to control the spread of the virus in hospitals.

Rob Harwood, chairman of the BMA consultants’ committee, said: “For some time now, the BMA has been calling for the Government to urgently address issues that would go far in ensuring the hospital environment is as safe as possible.

“NHS staff have been working tirelessly under extraordinary conditions – there’s no doubt that the spread of the virus throughout hospitals will have only increased stress levels for both patients and staff.”

He added that many doctors reported fearing catching the virus after seeing colleagues becoming seriously ill.

Mr Harwood said ensuring staff and patients are protected would enable the NHS to tackle the backlog created during the pandemic.

An NHS spokesman said: “The Office of National Statistics and other data conclusively demonstrate that the root cause of rising infection rates in hospitals is rising rates in the community.

“Since asymptomatic tests kits were made available for the first time by the Government’s Test and Trace programme in November, millions of staff have been tested helping to keep infections as low as possible, and all staff have been asked to rigorously follow Public Health England’s infection control guidance with hospital infection rates currently standing at around 4.2 per cent.”