Coronavirus death toll rises by 38 in region as nation’s largest ever vaccination programme gets ready to begin
A further 38 patients have died from coronavirus in hospitals across the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire.
The deaths announced on Monday mean that 3,940 people have died in the region's hospitals after contracting Covid-19.
In England, the NHS recorded 190 new deaths in hospitals, bringing the death toll in the country's hospitals to 42,579.
Nine more deaths were announced at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs County Hospital in Stafford and Royal Stoke University Hospital, taking the coronavirus death toll there to 679.
A further six deaths were confirmed at the Dudley NHS Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, where the death toll rose to 388.
Five deaths were recorded at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, bringing the total there to 376.
Another three deaths were announced at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, where the total number of deaths rose to 393.
One death was confirmed at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, where the death toll now stands at 590.
And 14 deaths were announced at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals, where the total now stands at 1,415.
A spokesman for NHS England said: "A further 190 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 42,579.
"Patients were aged between 49 and 100 years old. All except five – aged 50 to 77 years old – had known underlying health conditions.
"Date of death ranges from November 2, to December 6, with the majority being on or after December 4.
"Their families have been informed."
It comes as preparations to roll out a vaccine continues.
The nation’s largest ever vaccination programme begins this week after officials approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for use in the UK.
People who receive the jab will be given two doses three weeks apart.
Those who are vaccinated will receive some level of protection around 12 days after the first jab but the best protection comes a week after the second dose is delivered, officials have said.
Vaccinations will be administered at dozens of hospital hubs from Tuesday – dubbed “V-Day” by Health Secretary Matt Hancock – with people aged 80 and older, care home workers and NHS workers who are at higher risk at the front of the queue.
People over 80 should not be worried if they are not called for the Covid-19 vaccine this month as the vast majority will have to wait until the new year to receive the jab, a health official has said.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said the distribution of the vaccine would be a “marathon not a sprint”, while Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, said people need to “hang fire” and be assured they have not been forgotten if they have not received a letter or a phone call about the jab.
