THERE are now 47 patients with Covid-19 being cared for at Salisbury District Hospital.

A spokesperson for the hospital has confirmed that this exceeds the maximum number of cases onsite during the first wave in April.

Yesterday there were 44 cases onsite, up from 22 on Monday last week.

The rising number of Covid-19 patients at this time of year means staff are under "intense" pressure.

Visits to the hospital have now been suspended as a result of the increase in cases.