Six more coronavirus deaths reported across the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire
Six more hospital patients have died after testing positive for coronavirus across the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire.
It means 2,485 people have now died in the region's hospitals – with another 582 coronavirus deaths confirmed in care homes.
On Saturday it was that announced three more people had died in local hospitals – one in Sandwell, one in Staffordshire, and one in Birmingham.
New figures today show one further death at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs Stafford's County Hospital and Royal Stoke University Hospital. The total number of deaths now stands at 335.
There was also one death at Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, taking the total to 283; and also one death at Dudley Group NHS Trust, which manages Russells Hall Hospital, an increase to 261.
Three more people died at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust where the total is 946. The trust manages Queen Elizabeth, Good Hope, Heartlands and Solihull hospitals.
A further 26 people, who tested positive for Covid-19 died across England, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 28,318.
There were no further deaths reported at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell and City hospitals, where the total stands at 371 after yesterday's one death.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which manages Walsall Manor Hospital, also had no more deaths. The death toll is now at 220.
There have been no further deaths in Worcestershire this weekend.
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The latest figures have been released as Matt Hancock said England is “clearly on track” to further ease the coronavirus lockdown, with the hope pubs, restaurants and hairdressers could reopen as early as July 4.
On Sunday, the Health Secretary promised the next steps would be set out this week, along with any alteration to the two-metre social distancing guidance.
Drinkers at pubs and bars in England may have to leave their names and contact details in a guest book so they can be swiftly traced if they come into contact with a punter who tests positive for coronavirus.
Officials are understood to be looking at the measure in order to fulfil the ambition of reopening the hospitality sector as early as July 4 and aid the NHS test and trace programme.
