A NIGHTINGALE hospital could be needed in Essex if bed capacity runs short as the number of new coronavirus cases continues to soar, it has been warned.

Basildon Council deputy leader Kerry Smith said he would rather have the “critical bed capacity” in the county than “rush into lockdown” after Christmas.

The warning comes as Krishna Ramkhelawon, Southend Council’s director of public health, warned south Essex’ hospitals are almost “at par” with the number of beds in use at the height on the pandemic during the first lockdown.

Mr Smith said: “My view is we’ve got to keep the economy up as best and as safely as we can and if it’s the case that we need a Nightingale in Essex then the government should start preparing.

“I think after Christmas they’re going to go for an all-out lockdown across the whole county and most of England again because they’re going to look at the hospital bed and critical bed situation and start going ‘well we’ve got to lock things down’ even if the rates are manageable.

“Rather than rush into lockdown, let’s have the critical care bed capacity and make sure anyone who falls ill can get the help.”

Basildon currently has the third highest Covid rating in England with 696.4 cases per 100,000, while Southend also has worrying case rates of 331 per 100,000.

Asked where the Nightingale hospital would go in the county, Mr Smith said: “I think it’s obviously got to be in the Thurrock, Basildon south Essex area where we’ve got the cases.”

“I would rather have this sort of option in my pocket than what we’ve seen before where the government panics and puts everything into lockdown.”

Mr Ramkhelawon said: “I’m afraid we’re all very concerned about the rapid rise in infection in our communities indeed.

“I think the hospitals are now already at capacity in terms of dealing with Covid 19. We are almost at par to where we were back at the peak in April with a demand on services.

“The challenge for us obviously is we’ve always tried to make sure this time around to keep those pre-booked surgeries going as much as possible because they have implications if you are then utilising additional beds for treating people with Covid-19.”

Tom Abell, Deputy Chief Executive for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said: “We have plans in place, as we do every year, to help us care for those who need it – including any potential rise in Covid-19 patients this winter.

“Our hospitals are very busy at the moment and our staff are working hard to make sure anyone needing our care is seen in the right place, at the right time.”

“We urge everyone to ‘help us help you’ – please use the NHS wisely, attend an appointment if you have one, and continue to follow national guidance. If you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do, please visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for advice.”