THERE are twice as many coronavirus patients in hospital across the Forth Valley than at the height of the first wave of the pandemic.

In light of last week's statistics, public health officials at NHS Forth Valley are urging people to stick to the national advice and stay at home in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

It comes after the number of patients being treated with coronavirus reached a new peak last week.

The spike in numbers during January has seen the number of Covid-19 patients go from just under 50 to as many as 140 by last Thursday, January 28.

Health officials say the new, faster-spreading variant of coronavirus, is behind the huge rise in numbers.

And as is the case each year, Forth Valley Royal Hospital is coping with additional winter pressures.

Indeed, the health board was previously raising awareness of services outwith its Larbert grounds in a bid to reduce the number of people taking unnecessary trips there.

Dr Graham Foster, director of public health at NHS Forth Valley, issues a statement for the Advertiser last week in a bid to encourage residents in the Wee County to remain extra vigilant when it comes to coronavirus.

He said: “Since the arrival of the new Covid-19 variant at the end of December 2020 we have seen a big rise in the number of cases in our local communities.

“Although the rates across Forth Valley, including in Clackmannanshire, have started to show some signs of improvement we are continuing to see community transmission and around 70 – 100 new cases of Covid-19 are confirmed in Forth Valley each day.

“It is really important that people follow the national advice to stay at home to help avoid further spread.

“The Covid-19 vaccination programme is ramping up but even if you have been vaccinated you may still spread the virus so you must keep following the FACTs guidance.

“We know the new strain of the virus is spread far more easily so please remain extra vigilant and take extra care to ensure you keep two metres away from others, wash your hands regularly and wear a face covering.”

A mobile testing centre for Covid-19 was also at Sauchie Hall for three days last week, in response to a growing number of positive test cases in Clackmannanshire.

Speaking of the roll out of the testing centre at the start of last week, Dr Foster added: “The rate of positive cases across Clackmannanshire remains concerningly high and we have not yet seen the numbers starting to stabilise or decline the way we are in some other parts of Forth Valley.”