A hospital in Somerset has temporarily stopped accepting new patients due to the high number already there with coronavirus.

Weston General Hospital in Weston-super-Mare stopped taking new admissions, including into its A&E department, from 8am on Monday “to maintain patient and staff safety”.

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust said the measure is “precautionary” and the situation will be kept under review.

The trust said there are arrangements in place for new patients to access treatment and care “in other appropriate healthcare settings in the area should they need it”.

Dr William Oldfield, medical director at the trust, said: “As with any hospital, the number of patients with Covid-19 will frequently change as people are admitted and discharged.

“We currently have a high number of patients with Covid-19 in Weston General Hospital.

“Whilst the vast majority will have come into the hospital with Covid-19, as an extra precaution we have taken the proactive step to temporarily stop accepting new patients to maintain patient and staff safety.

“This is a clinically led decision and we are being supported by our system partners to ensure that new patients receive the care and treatment they need in the appropriate setting, and we are continuing to provide high-quality care to existing patients who are being treated in the hospital.

“We have a robust coronavirus testing programme in place for patients and staff to identify cases quickly, with appropriate measures taken by clinical teams as required.

“We will keep the situation under constant review.”