People visiting hospitals in south Essex will need to wear a face mask again amid a spike in patients with Covid in hospitals.

Anyone entering south Essex hospitals for an appointment or to visit a patient will need to wear a mask or face covering from tomorrow (July 8).

Hospital staff will also be required to wear face masks as part of the new rule as numbers of people in hospital with Covid are spiking across Essex and nationwide.

A statement on the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Southend and Basildon hospitals, website says: "Our staff will also be required to wear face masks in wards and departments, as well as non-clinical areas such as offices and corridors.

Read more >>> What are Essex MPs and councillors saying about Boris Johnson's resignation?

"We will continue to provide surgical masks in public spaces, wards and departments for patients, visitors and staff who wish to use them."

Mid and South Essex Trust was caring for 127 coronavirus patients in hospital as of last Tuesday, figures show.

NHS England data shows the number of people being treated in hospital for Covid-19 by 8am on June 28 was up from 95 on the same day the previous week.

The number of beds at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 more than quadrupled in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 27.

Across England there were 8,120 people in hospital with Covid as of June 28, with 205 of them in mechanical ventilation beds.

The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised nationally has increased by 101 per cent in the last four weeks from July 1, while the number on mechanical ventilators has increased by 72 per cent.