AN intensive care unit reported it was Covid free for the first time in months at the weekend.

The critical care unit at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary revealed on Saturday (May 1) that the unit had no Covid-19 patients- the first time since October.

In a tweet a hospital spokesman from critical care said: “Today ICU is COVID free for the first time since last October.

“It has been a hugely challenging six months, and our hearts go out to all our patients and their families who have been affected by COVID.”

Dr Shahedal Bari, medical director at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust, said: “It is testament to both the tireless work and dedication of our staff.

“And the significant efforts and support from our communities who complied with social distancing and took up their vaccination appointments when they were offered them, that we are starting to see the numbers of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care in our hospitals falling in line with the rest of the country.

“While we continue to treat patients without COVID-19 in those units, the reduction in patients with COVID-19 in our hospitals means those facilities can be used to support the restoration of surgical services across Morecambe Bay to the benefit of our patients awaiting surgery.”