MORE than a third of all staff at Royal Bolton Hospital have tested positive for Covid-19, according to hospital chiefs.

Data obtained in response to a Freedom of Information request shows 1,627 members of hospital staff were diagnosed with the virus between January 2020 and December 2020.

As of 8 January 2021, 87 per cent of the 5,200 workforce have now had their first dose of a vaccine.

Karen Meadowcroft, Chief Nurse at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said: “Since last July, Bolton has been in the highest category of restrictions and we have had a consistently high rate of Covid in the community – at points the highest in the UK.

MORE: Bolton's leading health experts to debunk the covid jab myths at public Q&A

“As many of our staff are part of the Bolton community themselves, these figures can be seen as a reflection of the Covid situation in our area. As a result, similar to many other NHS organisations, unfortunately a significant number of staff have become infected with COVID during the pandemic.”

Ms Meadowcroft insisted staff safety and wellbeing is of paramount importance to the trust — and PPE, training and testing at the hospital has been “adequate”.

James Bull, Unison’s north west regional organiser, said his branch had constantly campaigning for robust risk assessments, effective PPE and health and safety measures through the pandemic.

He said: “It is very concerning so many Royal Bolton Hospital workers have contracted the virus in the last year, as these figures show.

MORE: Over 65s to be invited for Covid-19 vaccine as lockdown review planned

“Our representatives have worked closely with the trust to ensure effective health and safety and infection control measures are introduced in wards and departments.

“Unison members are working tirelessly on the frontline under the pressure of rising patient numbers and the spread of the virus in our communities. We encourage staff to participate in the lateral flow testing which has been made available...to improve infection control.”

Estephanie Dunn, Royal College of Nursing regional director said of the pandemic’s early days: “It was an uncertain time and we heard nurses were frightened and worried they would take the virus home to their families.

“The rollout of the vaccine has not only been reassuring, it has been swift, and we are pleased with the progress of the rollout across Greater Manchester as a whole.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nqnw.co.uk