28 more coronavirus deaths in Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire

A further 28 coronavirus patients have died in hospitals in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire.

The daily number of coronavirus deaths at Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire hospitals as of December 28. By date of death, not date death was announced. Data: NHS England.

The deaths announced on Monday mean a total of 4,525 have now died in the region's hospitals after contracting the virus.

A total of 875 people have also died in care homes across the region since the pandemic began.

Meanwhile the UK-wide death toll increased by 357 to 71,109.

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At the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospitals across Birmingham including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 11 more deaths were confirmed meaning the toll now stands at 1,590.

One more death was confirmed at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, where 655 coronavirus patients have now died.

Two more deaths were recorded at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust on Monday, making a new toll of 442.

Three deaths were recorded at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, where the total stands at 439.

The cumulative number of hospital coronavirus deaths, by NHS trust, in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire as of December 28. By date of death, not the date the death was announced. Data: NHS England.

And two deaths were announced at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, where the total stands at 418.

In Staffordshire Seven 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 864.

Two more deaths were confirmed at Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, bringing the total there to 41.

Across England, 318 more hospital deaths were announced including 68 in the Midlands.

Announcing the latest hospital deaths on Monday, an NHS England spokesman said: "A further 318 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 48,860.

"Patients were aged between 38 and 100 years old. All except 13 (aged 64 to 92 years old) had known underlying health conditions.

"Date of death ranges from 13 to 27 December 2020.

"Their families have been informed."