Sheffield chief nurse speaks of 'great optimism' over Covid-19 vaccine as patient number remains near peak

However, the chief nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals has spoken of ‘great optimism’ following this week’s vaccine announcements.

There are currently 291 patients in Sheffield’s hospitals with COVID-19, and 20 in intensive care units.

This is down from 299 at the start of the month. At the peak of the first wave in April, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals teams were caring for just under 300 people, with around 35 in intensive care.

Professor Chris Morley, chief nurse at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Throughout the past seven days, we have continued to admit individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, and currently our hospitals are caring for 291 patients and 20 patients in intensive care.

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“However, it is important to note that while some days we have less admissions than others, it is clear that COVID-19 continues to circulate within our communities, and we urge local people to continue to observe hands, face and space along with the other lockdown measures.

“The ongoing developments around a potential COVID-19 vaccine give us all great optimism, as well as laying out a potential roadmap for how we may return to some sense of normality in the not too distant future. However, for now, we continue to ask for the public’s support by continuing to follow the restrictions in place.

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“Finally, we ask those who have an appointment with us to come along as planned unless contacted otherwise, as we continue to carry out as much non-COVID care as possible.”

Last week, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced its vaccine had been shown to be more than 90 per cent effective during a trial. It was followed by American firm Moderna, who announced a vaccine that has been shown in tests to be 95 per cent effective.

Three vaccines are currently being trialled in the UK. One from company Janssen will be trialled in Sheffield.

Others include the Oxford/AstraZeneca candidate, and one from US biotech company Novavax.

So far around 25,000 people in the UK have participated in vaccine trials, and more than 310,000 have indicated their willingness to take part in clinical studies by signing up to the NHS vaccine research registry.