THE number of people going to Colchester's A&E department has halved while more patients than usual are using the walk-in centre.
The unit saw 125 patients attend yesterday, when bosses would normally expect about 240.
A spokesman for Colchester Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Colchester General Hospital, said: "This is in part, we think, because people are heeding the advice to use [A&E] appropriately and are being mindful of alternatives in less serious situations."
He added: "Colchester Walk-in Centre, which is adjacent to the hospital, has seen a spike in the numbers of people coming through the door.
"We are grateful for the public’s support."
Since a 'major incident' was declared last Thursday, 37 non-emergency operations have been cancelled.
"Some" long stay patients have been discharged but the hospital's contingency ward remains very busy.
The spokesman added: "We review the internal major incident status daily."
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