Further 12 coronavirus deaths in hospitals across the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire

The Covid-19 death toll in the region's hospitals is now at 2,391.

The number of deaths in hospitals in England went up by 115 to 27,159, in figures announced on Thursday.

The UK-wide death toll released by the Government, which includes deaths in and out of hospitals, is 39,904 up from 39,728 yesterday.

Among the new hospital deaths announced were eight at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, taking the total to 355.

Two more deaths were revealed at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, where the total is 274.

The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs Stafford's County Hospital and Royal Stoke University Hospital, announced a further death – taking the new total to 308.

No further deaths were recorded at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, where the total is 252, or at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, in charge of the Manor Hospital, where the total remains 211.

One more death was confirmed at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, taking the total to 923. The trust runs Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals.

A further death was confirmed in Worcestershire, where the total death toll in the county's hospitals is now 289.

A spokesman for NHS England said: "A further 115 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 27,159.

"Patients were aged between 26 and 100 years old. Five of the 115 patients – aged between 53 and 97 yeas old – had no known underlying health condition.

"Their families have been informed."

The daily figures include Covid-19 patients whose deaths were confirmed in the previous 24 hours, not who died in that period.