Swadlincote Surgery has issued a Covid warning to its patients despite the so-called 'Freedom Day' last Monday.

The Surgery has posted details of the Delta variant to make people aware of the current situation.

It says cases are increasing and the variant is far more transmissible, meaning people are at a greater risk of infection 'than ever before'.

The surgery posted: "Our safety protocols, in line with NHS guidelines, have helped us keep staff and patients safe through the last 18 months and by continuing to adhere to them then we have the best chance of maintaining this.

"The surgery will continue with all social distancing, mask wearing and hand sanitising protocols that have been in place since last year.

"Patients visiting the surgery will be required to wear a mask at all times, whilst on the surgery premises – those who have a proven exemption are excluded from wearing a mask.

"All staff will continue to wear masks and clinicians will also wear the required PPE.

"We will open up a limited amount of seating in our waiting room and it will be allocated on a first come first served basis – once at capacity, patients and visitors will be asked to wait outside as they do now and be collected by a clinician.

"Our clinicians will continue to see patients face to face, where necessary, and our system of telephone and video triage will remain in place.

"This system has allowed us to consult with more patients than we did pre-pandemic and means that we limit footfall to the surgery, thereby reducing the risk of possible infection to patients and staff alike.

"We continue to provide our core services whilst still contributing to the delivery of the Covid vaccination programme.

"Thank you for your support in what is still a very difficult time and be assured that we will do everything we can to keep everyone as safe as possible."