Covid hospital death toll reaches 5,000 in Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire

It means a total of 5,000 have now died in the region's hospitals after contracting the virus, while 923 have now died in the region's care homes.

On Monday, NHS England announced a further 489 deaths in hospitals in the country.

It means a total of 56,069 have now died in hospitals in England.

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A further 11 deaths were recorded 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 1,000.

Nine deaths were announced at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, where the total stands at 483.

A further six deaths were confirmed at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, where the total stands at 465.

Five deaths were recorded at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, where 706 people have now died.

While one death was announced at the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation NHS Trust, where the death toll increased to 44.

And 11 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 1,751.

A spokesman for NHS England said: "A further 489 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 56,069.

"Patients were aged between 26 and 103 years old. All except 33 – aged 26 to 97 years old – had known underlying health conditions.

"Date of death ranges from November 25 to January 10 with the majority being on or after January 8.

"Their families have been informed."