An NHS hospital has banned visitors amid a surge in coronavirus cases.
The Royal Cornwall Hospital has temporarily suspended visits with immediate effect, although exceptional circumstances will be considered.
The hospital said a spike in the number of patients with Covid meant many wards and bays are unable to take new admissions.
This is because bosses must close a bay - or even a whole ward - for at least 10 days when someone tests positive in hospital, Cornwall Live reports.
It comes after the number of new Covid infections announced in the UK on Wednesday rose by more than 50 percent compared to last week.
Deaths and hospital admissions also shot up, although the government still plans to scrap free lateral flow tests for most people on April 1.
A Royal Cornwall Hospital spokesperson said: “Over the last few days there has been a significant increase in the number of people in hospital who are Covid positive.
"Although the vast majority of the 85 people have been admitted for another reason, it means we have many wards or bays unable to take new admissions.
“As a result, we have had to take the difficult decision to suspend all visiting with immediate effect. This includes visits planned for later today and through the coming weekend.
“Exceptional circumstances, including end of life care, will be considered compassionately on an individual basis.
“The current visiting arrangements for maternity, neonatal and paediatrics remain unchanged."
The spokesman added that the hospital will resume visiting as soon as possible but warned that the measure will likely remain in place for at least the next seven days.
They added that anyone who has booked a visit will be contacted.
Deputy medical director at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, Dr Gill Derrick, said: “The vast majority of patients with Covid, which remains at over 80 across our acute and community hospitals, are being admitted for other reasons.
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“Although all patients are tested on admission, we are finding many have been unknowingly carrying the virus.
"When a Covid test later in their admission then proves positive, it means we must close a bay, or in some cases a whole ward, for at least 10 days.
"This has a big knock-on impact for patients waiting for admission and ultimately ambulances waiting to hand over their patients. It’s very similar to the effect we saw when norovirus affected our hospitals in the past.”
