THE number of confirmed Covid-19 patients at the Countess of Chester Hospital is at its highest level for any point during the pandemic.

New data on the Government's website has shown the number of patients at the hospital who have tested positive for Covid is now hitting 150.

The highest number recorded was on Thursday, December 17, when there were 153 patients with Covid at the hospital.

During the first wave of coronavirus in March-June, the highest number of confirmed Covid patients recorded on any one day was on May 4, with 142.

After the first wave, the hospital had no coronavirus patients from September 5-7 and from September 9-14, before the second wave of the pandemic began.

The Government data now also details the number of Covid patients at the hospital on mechanical ventilator beds.

Latest data on Friday, December 18, says five of the 148 Covid patients at the hospital are on mechanical ventilator beds.

The highest number of mechanical ventilator beds being used was recorded in April, when 13 beds were occupied.

The total number of confirmed Covid patients who have been treated at the Countess of Chester Hospital since the start of the pandemic is 1,192.