By Lewis Berrill @LewisBerrill Chief reporter - east London and west Essex
There have been no new Covid deaths at the hospital so far this month. Photos: PA/PAHT It has been over a week since a Covid-19 patient has died while under the care of the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. The trust’s total death toll across the duration of the pandemic stands at 535, however the last recorded death occurred on March 30. There were nine deaths at the trust – which runs Princess Alexandra Hospital, St Margaret’s Hospital and Essex Hospital – in March and 38 in February. Infection rates in the two main districts the NHS trust serves are down massively.
While reflecting on the past year, Ms Panniker has paid tribute to those who have continued to work in the three hospitals and insists they have all learned a lot in the past 12 months. She said: “Throughout the pandemic, we have seen the dedication and strength of our staff in responding to the events of the last 12 months. “It has been a huge test for us all and a year like no other. “Our staff have transformed the way we work so that we could increase critical care capacity but also so that we could safely deliver non-Covid care. “Everyone has had their part to play and risen to the significant challenge - whether it is a nurse or doctor on the frontline, a porter, or someone behind the scenes helping keep things going – we are so grateful for their extraordinary hard work.