HOSPITALS in Greater Manchester are seeing a surge of coronavirus patients requiring treatment – as Pennine Acute Hospital Trust's virus admissions exceeded the first wave peak.

The Trust, which runs Fairfield General, Royal Oldham, and North Manchester General Hospitals, as well as Rochdale Infirmary, was caring for 290 patients on October 27, the latest date figures are available for.

During the first wave of infections, the Trust's coronavirus admissions peaked at 262 patients on April 6.

It is one of ten NHS hospital trusts that had seen inpatient numbers rise above the first peak by October 30.

Five of those Trusts, including Pennine Acute, are in the North West, with Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh, Blackpool Teaching, Liverpool University, and Warrington and Halton Trusts making up the rest.

Yorkshire and Humber saw three Trusts – Barnsley, Doncaster and Bassetlaw, and Leeds Teaching – all exceed the first wave too, whilst Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, and the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust from East and West Midlands were the final two.