MORE than 90 per cent of hospital beds in the South East are full as hospitals battle to cope with coronavirus and winter pressures.

The number of occupied NHS hospital bed is increasing daily and has now reached the highest rate so far this year.

Emergency doctors say that hospitals are at a “really dangerous point” due to queuing ambulances, lack of beds and staff sickness.

READ MORE: South East expected to enter Tier 4 - reports

The average per cent of beds occupied in NHS trusts in the South East region is now 90.2 per cent – one of the highest rates in the country.

This figure is now above the safe level for bed occupancy.

Source: NHS

Speaking to the BBC, Dr Katherine Henderson, president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: "We are at a really dangerous point which could tip into finding it incredibly difficult to manage.

“We have to get a grip of the virus and do whatever it takes.”
Brighton and Hove narrowly avoided being placed in Tier 3 earlier this week.

Just hours later, the city’s director of public health, Alistair Hill, warned coronavirus cases will increase "significantly" in the coming days.

READ MORE:  South East travel ban being considered amid mutant strain outbreak- reports

He said: “We are very concerned that our local case numbers are increasing very rapidly.

"So I am asking everyone to do everything possible to stop Covid-19 spreading further.

“In the seven days up to December 11, we had 283 confirmed new cases in Brighton and  Hove. This is a 61 per cent increase in the rate from the previous week.

"Based on emerging data, we expect numbers will continue to rise significantly in the coming days.

“The increase in cases seen across the South East is affecting NHS services. The number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals across in the region is at its highest since late April, and is rising rapidly in some areas.

“It is almost certain that household mixing over Christmas will lead to greater transmission, more cases and more hospital admissions at what is the busiest time of the year for the NHS.

“It is vital that everyone considers carefully how they can minimise the risk to themselves, their loved ones and their community.

"When making your Christmas plans, please think very carefully about the risks associated with them. 

"Please meet as few people as possible, for as short a time as possible, and travel safely.”

The number of recorded coronavirus cases in Brighton and Hove increased by 92 in the last 24 hours, official figures show.

Tier 3 restrictions will see the closure of bars, pubs, and restaurants.

From 00:01 today - the following areas are in tier three:

  • Bedfordshire
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Berkshire
  • Peterborough
  • The whole of Hertfordshire
  • Surrey, except Waverley
  • Hastings and Rother
  • Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant