By Local hospitals remain under pressure
The situation remains ‘challenging’ at Grimsby and Scunthorpe hospitals today, with 90 Covid inpatients at each.
Out of these, 11 are in ICU – six at Grimsby and five at Scunthorpe, said a spokesperson for Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG).
“The situation is still challenging,” said a spokesperson.
Both areas remain in the top 20 for the rate of coronavirus in England.
The latest R number for the healthcare region of North East and Yorkshire is estimated at 1 to 1.1 with a daily infection growth rate range of 0% to +2% as of November 20.
The data coincides with the news that a coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford is highly effective at stopping people developing Covid-19 symptoms, a large trial has shown.
Interim data suggests 70% protection, but the researchers say the figure may be as high as 90% by tweaking the dose.
The results will be seen as a triumph, but come after Pfizer and Moderna vaccines showed 95% protection.
However, the Oxford jab is far cheaper, and is easier to store and get to every corner of the world than the other two, and so is expected to play a significant role in tackling the pandemic, if it is approved for use by regulators.
The UK government has pre-ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, and AstraZeneca says it will make three billion doses for the world next year.
