Further four coronavirus deaths confirmed at region's hospitals
Four more coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the Black Country and Staffordshire.
The deaths announced on Thursday mean 7,504 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 73 hospital deaths on Thursday, meaning 86,053 have now died in the country's hospitals after testing positive for Covid-19.
Two deaths were announced at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs Stoke and Stafford hospitals, where the total rose to 1,369.
One death was confirmed at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, where the total rose to 729.
A further death was reported at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, where the death toll increased to 715.
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.
There were also no new deaths 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 remains at 2,577.
Elsewhere, one death was confirmed at the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
A spokesman for NHS England said: "A further 73 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 86,053.
"Patients were aged between 34 and 101 years old. All except five – aged 60 and 86 years old – had known underlying health conditions.
"Date of death ranges from March 30, 2020, to March 24, 2021, with the majority being after March 18, 2021.
"Their families have been informed."
Meanwhile, 26,710,498 vaccinations have been carried out across England to date – including first and second doses.
In the Midlands, 4,798,986 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine has been administered, while 331,683 second doses have been carried out.
The data includes vaccinations carried out between December 8 and March 24.
