Women showed coronavirus symptoms shortly before their deaths, inquests told
Two women died after showing symptoms of coronavirus heard inquests into their deaths.
Linda Everitt, aged 72 of Jordan Leyes, in Tipton, suffered a fractured hip after she fell while walking outsider her bungalow.
She went to Sandwell Hospital, in West Bromwich, for treatment - but contracted coronavirus while there, Black Country Coroner's Court was told.
Medical staff found she had a high temperature - a symptom of the virus - and she a swab confirmed she had Covid-19.
She was taken to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment but her condition deteriorated.
Mrs Everitt, a widow, died on April 22.
Black Country coroner Zafar Siddique told the court: "Her daughter said her mother was outside her bungalow where she lived.
"She couldn't walk at the best of times. She had a walking stick with her but fell over the walk stick and suffered a fractured pelvis."
He continued: "She was suspected of having Covid-19 on April 11 [while] in rehab at Sandwell General [Hospital], following a fall in March this year.
"The fall took place while she was out walking. She slipped onto the floor and suffered a fractured pelvis."
Doctors treated her pelvic fracture "conservatively", the court heard, which means non-invasive treatment methods such as avoiding surgery.
However, she showed signs signs of Covid-19, and tested positive for the virus after a swab test at Sandwell.
After being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, she had a further swab test which also tested her positive for coronavirus.
Her primary cause of death was given as Covid-19, while contributing factors were given as a fractured pelvis and a pulmonary embolism.
Mr Siddique added: "She wouldn't have been in hospital if it wasn't for the fall. While at hospital, she developed Covid-19 and subsequently passed away."
The coroner recorded her death as accidental.
Mr Siddique added: "Can I take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the late Mrs Everitt."
The coroner also heard how a 90-year-old woman is believed to have died from a chest infection caused by Covid-19.
Bertha Cox, a resident at Samuels House care home, Walsall, showed symptoms of coronavirus before her death, the coroner was told.
Doctors noted she had shortness of breath, a raised temperature and a cough. Mrs Cox, a widow, died at the care home on April 14.
In her earlier life, she worked as a nurse and was born in Walsall.
Coroner Zafar Siddique told the court: "The doctor from the care home provided the following cause of death as 1A, chest infection, due to 1B, suspected Covid-19.
"In part two, it was advanced dementia."
He continued: "Doctors suspected she was showing signs of Covid-19, such as breathlessness and a cough.
"On the balance of probability, the doctor has given a suspected Covid-19 chest infection as the cause of death."
Mrs Cox's death was recorded by the coroner as natural causes due to the chest infection and suspected coronavirus.
Mr Siddique added: "Can I please take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the late Mrs Cox."
