Coronavirus: Two more deaths at hospitals in Birmingham and Worcestershire
Two more hospital patients have died across the West Midlands and Worcestershire after contracting coronavirus.
One patient was confirmed to have died at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, where the total death toll from Covid-19 is now 953. The trust runs Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals.
The other was reported in Worcestershire, where the death toll in the county's hospitals increased to 301.
Since the outbreak began, there has been 285 deaths at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals.
A total of 263 deaths have occurred at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital.
At Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, the toll stands at 376.
At Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which is in charge of the Manor Hospital, 221 patients have died.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs Stafford’s County Hospital and Royal Stoke University Hospital, has seen 340 deaths to date.
Nationally, the number of deaths in English hospitals rose by 78 to 28,635.
A spokesman for the NHS said: "Patients were aged between 56 and 97 years old. Two patients, aged 73 and 96, had no known underlying health conditions. Their families have been informed."
In Wales, a further five deaths were announced, bringing the nation's death toll to 1,502.
There were no further deaths announced in Scotland, but one more death was announced in Northern Ireland - bringing the total there to 549.
Across the UK, the total number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus stands at 43,514, according to Government figures.
The news comes as two men were arrested in connection with an illegal rave planned for a Staffordshire town this weekend.
A 21-year-old from Darlaston, in Walsall, and a 24-year-old from Rugeley, in Staffordshire, have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.
The illegal rave was planned for Rugeley.
Difficult
Police in London have spent a third night trying to break up illegal gatherings, as the capital’s most senior officer vowed to shut down events that flout health regulations.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick it had been a “very difficult few weeks” of lockdown easing in the city, with officers coming under attack as they tried to break up crowds.
Writing in the Sun newspaper, she said the force had a “duty” to stop unlawful music events during the Covid-19 pandemic and would be “on the lookout”.
“Big street parties are illegal and reckless. These events should not be happening,” she said.
Meanwhile, foreign holidays have been given the green light after ministers confirmed the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days upon returning to the UK will be scrapped for a slew of popular destinations.
Trips to France, Greece and Spain look on the cards after the Government confirmed it will revise the quarantine measures next week.
In place of the quarantine arrangements will be a traffic light system, with officials placing countries into green, amber and red categories based on the prevalence of coronavirus within each nation’s borders.
The Telegraph reported that as many as 50 countries could be included in the quarantine-free list when it is published on Wednesday, with restrictions lifted as soon as July 6.
