Two new coronavirus deaths confirmed in Birmingham
Two coronavirus deaths have been confirmed at a hospital trust in Birmingham.
However no new deaths were announced in hospitals across the Black Country and Staffordshire today, and none were reported in the West Midlands on Saturday.
It means the death toll in hospitals in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire now stands at 2,551. An additional 692 people have died with the disease in the region's care homes.
Meanwhile the UK-wide death toll, which includes deaths in and out of hospitals, increased by eight to 46,201.
Across England the number of deaths in hospitals rose by five to 29,347.
The two deaths in the region were both confirmed at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals, the death toll now stands at 967.
The death toll at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, remains at 285; while a total of 264 patients have died at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital.
The toll at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, is at 230; and at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, stands at 380.
While a total of 354 people have died at the University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust, which runs County Hospital in Stafford and Royal Stoke University Hospital.
In Worcestershire, a total of 306 people have died in hospital after contracting Covid-19.
An NHS England spokesman said: “A further 5 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,347.
"Patients were aged between 52 and 86 years old. All had known underlying health conditions.
"Their families have been informed."
The daily hospital figures include Covid-19 patients whose deaths were confirmed in the previous 24 hours, not who died in that period.
Meanwhile Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has cast doubt on reports of fresh draconian new lockdown restrictions for London and said talk of an expanded shielding programme was “just speculation”.
His comments come after reports surfaced that Boris Johnson had ordered officials to work up a plan for avoiding a second national lockdown.
