Further 47 coronavirus patients die in region's hospitals
A further 47 coronavirus patients have died in hospitals in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire.
It means a total of 4,848 have now died in the region's hospitals after contracting the virus, while a total of 923 people have died in the region's care homes.
On Thursday, NHS England announced a further 661 deaths in hospitals in the country. It means a total of 53,730 have now died in hospitals in England.
Sixteen new deaths were confirmed 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 958.
Seven deaths were announced at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, where the total stands at 448.
A further three deaths were recorded at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, where the total stands at 458.
Three deaths were confirmed at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, where the death toll is 467.
Two further deaths were announced at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, where 686 people have now died.
While one death was recorded at the Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, taking the total of deaths to 50.
And 15 new deaths were confirmed at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospitals across Birmingham including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, meaning the toll now stands at 1,713.
A spokesman for NHS England said: "A further 661 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 53,730.
"Patients were aged between 33 and 103 years old. All except 28 – aged 48 to 96 years old – had known underlying health conditions.
"Date of death ranges from December 2 to January 6.
"Their families have been informed."
