THE Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust was caring for 19 coronavirus patients in hospital as of Tuesday, May 17 figures show.

NHS England data shows the number of people being treated in hospital for Covid-19 by 8am on May 17 was down from 32 on the same day the previous week.

The number of beds at Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 decreased by 86 per cent in the previous four weeks – 28 days previously, there were 135.

Across England there were 5,733 people in hospital with Covid as of May 17, with 173 of them in mechanical ventilation beds.

The number of Covid-19 patients hospitalised nationally has decreased by 61 per cent in the four-week period, while the number on mechanical ventilators decreased by 42 per cent.

The figures also show that 37 new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust in the week to May 15. This was down from 48 in the previous seven days.

Will Grimond, Data Reporter