76 more coronavirus patients die in region’s hospitals

It means a total of 5,211 have now died in the region’s hospitals after contracting the virus, while 955 have died in the region’s care homes.

NHS England today announced a further 884 deaths in hospitals in the country.

It means a total of 58,712 have now died in hospitals in England.

A further 19 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 1,041.

Eleven deaths were confirmed at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, where the total stands 517.

Six deaths were announced at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, where 726 people have now died.

A further five deaths were recorded at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, where the total now stands at 483.

Four deaths were confirmed at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, where the death toll now stands at 497.

And 31 deaths were announced at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs across Birmingham including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, meaning the total now stands at 1,820.

Elsewhere, 14 deaths were confirmed at the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, taking the death toll there to 530.

A spokesman for NHS England said: “A further 884 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 58,712.

”Patients were aged between 27 and 101 years old. All except 48 - aged 38 to 101 years old - had known underlying health conditions.

”Date of death ranges from December 4 to January 13.

”Their families have been informed.”