A HOSPITAL trust has stated it will be keeping visiting restrictions in place amid continued concerns about the spread of Covid.

The East Suffolk and North Essex Trust says the rate of infection in its hospitals in Colchester, Harwich, Clacton and Ipswich remains high.

The trust says its visiting policy is under regular review with almost daily discussions being held about the possibility of lifting restrictions.

Here is everything you need to know about visiting a patient in hospital:

You can visit a patient if they have been in hospital for more than seven days

If a patient has been in hospital for seven days or more, they may have one visitor to see them for up to one hour a day.

The patient must not, however, be positive for Covid-19 or be a contact of a positive Covid case.

The visitor must be the same person for each visit, not be positive for Covid and wear a surgical face mask.

Who else can I visit?

More open visiting remains in place for carers, patients with a dementia or learning disability, parents of children in hospital and for those receiving end of life care.

What are the rules in the maternity ward?

One birthing partner may attend the delivery of a baby and one person may continue to visit antenatal/postnatal wards between 8am and 8pm.