SALISBURY Hospital's CEO has written an open letter calling for people to remain "extra vigilant", with the hospital continuing to experience "intense pressure".

Stacey Hunter has said staff are "exhausted" and that 25 per cent of all inpatients have tested positive for coronavirus.

Here are the five key points from the letter. 

1. Rising numbers

The hospital is now treating 121 patients that have tested positive - this is more than double the number during the first wave and equal to 25 per cent of all inpatients.

And the number is rising daily. In addition, there have now been 99 deaths recorded where the patient had tested positive.

Despite some speculation, as of 8.15 this morning, the hospital has had NO transfers from other hospitals.

2. Changes being made

The hospital is having to limit the number of surgical procedures undertaken.

This means some operations are having to be postponed.

The letter said: "We will continue to perform all cancer, high priority, emergency and trauma surgery. By making this difficult decision we can continue to provide professional, compassionate care when it is most needed".

The hospital will contact you if your appointment has been postponed. If you do not hear from them, attend as planned.

3. Still open in an emergency 

A&E remains open 24/7 to treat emergencies and the hospital contines to provide critical and urgent care, and the maternity team never stop delivering babies.

4. 'Exhausting' and 'relentless' for NHS staff

Staff are exhausted after 10 months of working through this pandemic. 

Stacey said: "It’s exhausting, it feels relentless and it has impacted all areas of our lives, both at work and at home.

"I know that this must be taking its toll on the whole community.

"That’s why it’s so important we continue to look out for one another, be kind and support each other wherever we can."

5. Remain extra vigilant

Stacey called for everyone to remain extra vigilent. 

She said: "With such a rapid rise of COVID-19 in the community, and with such high numbers of patients in our hospital, we must remain extra vigilant and continue to do all we can to protect each other from this new infectious strain. This means limiting the amount of contact we have with other people and adhering to all the lockdown regulations and continue to follow the hands, face and space guidance at work and at home."

To read the letter in full, click here.