A staggering 121 Covid-19 patients are currently being cared for at Salisbury District Hospital, as the number of deaths continues to rise.

The number is almost three times as high as during the first peak of the pandemic when around 44 positive patients were being looked after on site.

A spokesperson from Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said: "As of 08.15am today, there are 121 in patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.

"Sadly, we can confirm that another patient who had been cared for at Salisbury District Hospital has died.

"A man in his seventies, with underlying health conditions, died on 11th January.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with the patient’s family and loved ones at this very difficult and distressing time.

"The total number of patients that have died at Salisbury District Hospital after receiving a COVID-19 positive test result is now 99."

In the past few weeks, as admissions of patients ill with coronavirus continued to increase day on day, hospital staff have been facing "intense" pressure.

Today (January 12), its Chief Executive said in a letter to patients and members of the public that a number of operations will have to be postponed as a result.