Sheffield hospital reveals how many kids have been treated for Covid since pandemic began

The hospital trust said it is “fully prepared” to look after patients with Covid-19 and confirmed it has treated 47 youngsters with the illness as of February 8.

It comes after it was confirmed the efficacy of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine in children is set to be tested in a new clinical trial.

Andrew Pollard, professor of paediatric infection and immunity, and chief investigator on the Oxford vaccine trial, said: “While most children are relatively unaffected by coronavirus and are unlikely to become unwell with the infection, it is important to establish the safety and immune response to the vaccine in children and young people as some children may benefit from vaccination.”

Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust also revealed 2,976 staff members have been tested for coronavirus after either they or someone in their household displayed symptoms.

Ten per cent of those who were tested tested positive.