Another 18 Covid-19 patients die in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire
A further 18 coronavirus patients have died in hospitals across the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire.
The NHS figures released on Saturday put the Covid-19 death toll in the region's hospitals at 2,182.
In care homes across the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire at least 427 people have died with the virus but figures are only available from April 10 to May 8.
The official UK death toll announced by the Government increased by by 468 to 34,466 on Saturday although NHS and Office for National Statistics data suggests the true death toll is far higher.
Across England another 181 people were announced to have died in hospital, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 24,527.
In England, patients were aged between 39 and 98 years old. Seven of the 181 patients – aged between 43 and 67 years old – had no known underlying health conditions.
Among the new hospital deaths announced were two at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, taking the death toll to 327.
Six patients were confirmed to have died at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust which runs Stafford's County Hospital and Royal Stoke University Hospital, where 263 have now died.
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A further eight deaths were confirmed at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, taking the total to 854. The trust runs Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals.
One patient was also confirmed to have died at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, taking the total to 31.
One patient also died at The Royal Orthopaedic NHS Foundation Trust, an increase to 12.
No new deaths were confirmed at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which manages Manor Hospital, leaving the total at192.
There have also been no new deaths at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, where the total remains at 256, or the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, where the total is 237.
Meanwhile, two deaths were reported in Worcestershire, taking the county's total to 234.
In Scotland, there have been a further 41 deaths, taking the total to 2,094.
In Wales, there have been a further 18 deaths, taking the total to 1,191.
In Northern Ireland, there have been a further four deaths, taking the total to 473.
It comes as it feared staff will be left with mental scars from their experiences on the front line of the coronavirus fight.
Health chiefs are offering a range of support to ensure front line workers deal with fear, anxiety and guilt as they reflect on their experiences.
The Peak District National Park said the Langsett area at the north-eastern edge of the park was “extremely busy” on Saturday morning, making social distancing difficult.
Visitors seemingly flocked to the area despite people being asked to “think carefully” before visiting national parks and beaches.
Pressure on the unions has increased after the Children’s Commissioner for England called on the two sides to “stop squabbling” and agree on a plan for a phased re-opening of primary schools from June 1.
