Further six coronavirus deaths confirmed at region's hospitals – but none in the Black Country
A further six coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in Staffordshire and Birmingham – with no reported deaths in hospitals in the Black Country in the latest figures.
The deaths announced on Thursday mean 7,460 patients have died with the virus in the region's hospitals.
On top of this, a further 1,383 have died in the region's care homes after contracting coronavirus.
NHS England confirmed a further 97 hospital deaths on Thursday, meaning 85,585 have now died in the country's hospitals after testing positive for Covid-19.
Two deaths were announced at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Stoke Hospital and County Hospital in Stafford, where total increased to 1,362.
Four deaths were confirmed at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth Hospital as well as Heartlands, Solihull and Good Hope hospitals, taking the death toll there to 2,568.
No new deaths were reported at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust where the total remains 720, or at the Dudley Group NHS Trust where the death toll now stands at 718
There were also no new deaths recorded at either the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust or Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, where the totals stand at 712 and 1,150 respectively.
A spokesman for NHS England said: "A further 97 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 85,585.
"Patients were aged between 43 and 99 years old. All except five – aged 55 to 89 – had known underlying health conditions.
"Date of death ranges from January 18, to March 17, with the majority being on or after March 15.
"Their families have been informed."
Meanwhile, 23,201,466 coronavirus vaccinations have been carried out across England to date – including first and second doses.
In the Midlands, 4,279,904 first doses of the coronavirus vaccine has been administered, while 219,857 second doses have been carried out.
The data includes vaccinations carried out between December 8 and March 17.
