The number of coronavirus patients at Salisbury District Hospital is rising, the hospital has warned, and residents "should take the virus seriously".

As of this morning (Monday October 26), a total of six patients that have tested positive for Covid-19 are being cared for at the city's hospital.

It's an increase on last week when only two patients were Covid positive.

All people that are admitted to hospital are routinely tested for coronavirus so some of them will have turned up to hospital for reasons other than Covid.

However, a spokesperson from Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that doctors are now seeing more patients coming to hospital with typical Covid-19 symptoms.

"Of the patients that are admitted to hospital, six of those are Covid positive," a spokesperson said.

"The early ones were coming in with other conditions but that's not the same now.

"Now we've got people coming in that are more directly Covid symptomatic."

The severity of the condition of patients currently in hospital with Covid-19 differs, covering "a range of conditions".

This means some patients are worse affected than others. 

In the Wiltshire Council area, 2,729 people have contracted Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, with 91 cases alone being reported yesterday (October 25).

The spokesman added: "Take this virus seriously. The virus is growing, transmission in Wiltshire is growing, people should obey the guidance hands, face, space.

"Whilst we're getting better at treating people, [the virus] can still be very very serious and people should not underestimate the impact it can have on people.

"If you want to protect your family, your parents, your grandparents, follow the regulations."