Further six coronavirus deaths confirmed at region's hospitals
Six more coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Birmingham.
The deaths announced on Wednesday mean 7,500 people have now died with the virus in the region's hospitals.
Alongside this, a further 1,385 people have died in the region's care homes after contracting coronavirus.
NHS England confirmed a further 69 hospital deaths on Wednesday, meaning 85,980 have now died in the country's hospitals after testing positive for Covid-19.
Two deaths were announced at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, where the total rose to 728.
One death was confirmed at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, where the death toll increased to 714.
A further death was reported at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs Stoke and Stafford hospitals, where the total rose to 1,367.
One death was recorded at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth Hospital as well as Heartlands, Solihull and Good Hope hospitals, where the death toll reached 2,577.
No new deaths were announced at either the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, or the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, where the totals remain at 1,156 and 795 respectively.
Elsewhere, two deaths were confirmed at the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
A spokesman for NHS England said: "A further 69 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 85,980.
"Patients were aged between 37 and 97 years old. All except two – aged 55 and 84 years – had known underlying health conditions.
"Date of death ranges from October 30 to March 23.
"Their families have been informed."
Meanwhile, 26,226,604 vaccinations have been carried out across England to date – including first and second doses.
In the Midlands, 4,753,652 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine has been administered, while 295,136 second doses have been carried out.
The data includes vaccinations carried out between December 8 and March 23.
