VISITING at hospitals across South Tees remains suspended after a ‘significant’ rise in Covid cases across the region.

Hospitals in County Durham and Darlington, Stockton, South Tyneside and Sunderland have already banned visitors due to the rise in Covid cases and concerns over the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.

Announcing the move on Tuesday morning, a statement from the trust read: “Despite the enormous success of the vaccination programme, patient visiting restrictions and other measures to reduce the risk of infection have not been previously relaxed and remain in place to protect those who are immunosuppressed or have not yet been fully jabbed.

“This is important for patients who rely on us as a specialist tertiary, cancer and Regional Major Trauma Centre.”

Read more: County Durham and Darlington hospitals suspend visiting

Affected hospitals across the South Tees NHS Trust include: The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough; Friarage Hospital, Northallerton; East Cleveland Primary Care Hospital, Brotton; Guisborough Primary Care Hospital; Redcar Primary Care Hospital; and The Friary Community Hospital, Richmond. 

Exceptions to restrictions on visiting include:

• Patients receiving end of life care

• Women in labour will be able to have one birthing partner

• One parent or carer will be able to accompany children in our emergency departments, children's wards and neonatal units

• Patients with dementia, a learning disability or autism and those who require a carer

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