CASES of Covid-19 have been confirmed in 'a number of staff' at Whitchurch Community Hospital.

The hospital, in Claypit Street, was recently designated an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) to alleviate pressure on the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford and Shrewsbury Royal Hospital, but has now closed its doors to new arrivals in response to the virus.

Staff at the hospital are said to be showing minor symptoms of the coronavirus and are currently self-isolating at home and patients and families are being informed.

Alison Trumper, deputy director of Nursing and Quality at Shropshire Community Care, moved to reassure those patients and families .

"We can confirm that a number of staff have tested positive for Covid-19," said Ms Trumper.

"All are experiencing nothing more than mild symptoms and are self-isolating at home in line with national guidelines.

"We are in the process of informing patients and their families.

"We know this news may be worrying for them, but we can reassure them that we have no patients who have developed symptoms.

"There are a few patients at the hospital who were admitted with Covid-19, and they continue to be cared for in line with our coronavirus policies. We are testing all staff and patients as a precaution.

"Anybody needing to be admitted is currently being diverted to other beds across our hospital sites, and we have no capacity concerns."