THE Isle of Wight NHS Trust boss is fully expecting the number of Covid cases and hospitalisations on the Isle of Wight to rise after the Isle of Wight Festival returns next week.

Postponed in 2020, due to the first wave of Covid-19, the Isle of Wight Festival is anticipated to have 50,000 in the crowd next weekend (September 16-19).

As previously reported, the NHS Trust is 'nervously anticipating' the aftermath of the festival on Covid rates on the Island, having seen the fallout of other events across the country, like the cornish music festival Boardmasters where 4,700 cases have been linked back to the event.

Maggie Oldham, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust's chief executive, said while she wanted good things to happen, felt like a party pooper as she waits to see just how much more pressure will be put on the health services.

She has since released a statement. She said: "We know people are tired of the pandemic and want life to get back to normal, but the risks of this virus have not gone away.

"There are some very sick people in hospital and, sadly, members of our community continue to die having being diagnosed with Covid-19.

"We have seen the impact of previous large scale events, both on the Island and on the mainland, and fully expect the number of cases and hospitalisations to rise in the coming weeks – putting our staff under even greater pressure."

The surge of cases over the holidays has left the NHS on the Island under intense pressure, with an increase in the number of people needing care.

In September, over four days, six people died at St Mary's Hospital, in Newport, with Covid-19 — more than in April, May, June and July combined.

The trust is also gearing up for more potential challenges this winter, responding to a new flu season while continuing to clear the backlog created by the previous waves of the pandemic.

Ms Oldham added: "We will do everything we can to keep people safe but we need the public’s help. We need people to make sure they are fully vaccinated and help control the spread of the virus. Remember: Hands, Face, Space."

Read more about the situation, and what other executives at the NHS Trust said here: