MORE than 100 patients with coronavirus are been cared for at hospitals around Hampshire, figures show.

A total of 71 patients are being treated for Covid-19 at University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust as of November 22 - the same number of patients recorded the week before.

A further 50 patients are being treated at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust, up by five when compared to the week before November 22.

This brings the total number of patients across the two hospitals to 121.

The figures have been branded "a concern" by one Southampton MP.

The number of coronavirus cases in Southampton increased by 239 in the 24 hours leading up to November 26, and one death was recorded.

A total of 37,724 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 in Southampton when the UK coronavirus daily dashboard was updated on November 26, up from 37,485 on Thursday.

The rate of infection in Southampton now stands at 14,918 cases per 100,000 people, lower than the England average of 15,099.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 49,344 over the period, to 10,070,841.

MP for Southampton Test, Alan Whitehead, told the Daily Echo that "although numbers are high, so far hospital admissions have remained somewhat steady" adding that this shows vaccines are providing protection.

"What is of concern is the emergence of the new Omicron variant," he said.

"We need to slow it's spread to give us more time to understand this new variant and how it will affect vaccine protection.

"I would urge everyone in our city to wear their masks in shops, public transport and wherever else possible indoors.

"I would also encourage people to keep up regular lateral flow testing to best protect those around them."

Royston Smith, MP for Southampton Itchen, said that "any increase in infection is a concern".

He added: "However, the vaccination programme is working. There are fewer hospitalisations and thankfully fewer deaths.

"However, a new variant such as Omicron could put some of the progress we have seen in jeopardy so it is important people continue to wash their hands thoroughly and regularly, keep their distance where practical and where masks where possible."

Across the county, positive tests continued to rise.

In the 24 hours leading up to November 26, coronavirus cases in Eastleigh increased by 161.

The number of coronavirus cases in Winchester increased by 117.

In Test Valley, cases increased by 160 and in the New Forest cases increased by 141 as well as one recorded death.

The number of coronavirus cases in Fareham increased by 119.