Coronavirus: Four more deaths at hospitals in Staffordshire and Birmingham

Four more hospital patients have died across the West Midlands after contracting coronavirus.

The cumulative number of coronavirus deaths in Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire hospitals by date of death as of June 28. Data: NHS England. Figures likely to increase as further deaths announced.

Three 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, has seen 343 deaths to date.

The other was reported at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, where the total death toll from Covid-19 is now 954. The trust runs Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals.

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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.

The daily number of coronavirus deaths in Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire hospitals by date of death as of June 28. Data: NHS England. Figures likely to increase as further deaths announced.

At Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which is in charge of the Manor Hospital, 221 patients have died.

And in Worcestershire, the death toll in the county's hospitals is 301.

Nationally, the number of deaths in English hospitals rose by 18 to 28,653.

A spokesman for the NHS said: "A further 18 people, who tested positive for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 28,653.

"Patients were aged between 43 and 95 years old. One patient, aged 48, had no known underlying health conditions. Their families have been informed."

In Wales, a further two deaths were announced, bringing the nation's death toll to 1,504.

The cumulative number of coronavirus deaths at hospital trusts by date of death as of June 28. Data: NHS England. Figures likely to increase as further deaths announced.

There were no further deaths announced in Scotland, but one more death was announced in Northern Ireland - bringing the total there to 550.

Across the UK, the total number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus now stands at 43,550.

The news comes as this Tuesday marks the 100th day since the UK went into lockdown.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel has warned the rise of mass gatherings witnessed in recent days was “unacceptable” and that it risked a second deadly spike of coronavirus.

Ms Patel, in interviews with broadcasters, also confirmed reports that Leicester faced becoming the first area to have a local lockdown imposed following a surge in infections.

Police in London had to disperse crowds causing “significant disruptions” at two unlicensed music events in south London on Saturday night while the Liver Building in Liverpool was set on fire on Friday as fans gathered to celebrate Liverpool FC’s Premier League title win.

In other news, Boris Johnson is set to use a speech on Tuesday to announce a taskforce charged with speeding up major building projects.

The Prime Minister will announce a spending blitz next week as he looks to “ready” the country for the “thunderclap of economic consequences” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Laying out his vision for the country’s revival, Boris Johnson will use a speech on Tuesday to announce the creation of a taskforce charged with fast-tracking the building of schools, hospitals, roads and even prisons as the UK bids to find a way out of the downturn.