Four more people have died after contracting swine flu in the West Midlands, it emerged today, as cases of those infected continued to rise.

The latest deaths brings the total of those who have died after testing positive for the disease in the region to 19. The number of sufferers admitted to hospital this week was 203 compared with 146 last week and 95 inpatients with swine flu were being treated in hospital as of Wednesday, according to the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority.

Dr Rashmi Shukla, regional director Public Health, NHS West Midlands, said: “We would expect to see a rise in respiratory illness, such as swine flu, at this time of year, and we would like to remind people that they should continue to adhere to good respiratory and hand hygiene practices to reduce chances of the virus spreading.

“Unfortunately there have been a further four swine-flu related deaths and our thoughts are with the families of these patients at this very sad time.”

The West Midlands currently has 89 anti-viral collection points open across the region. Since the National Pandemic Flu Service was launched, over 88,000 people have collected anti-virals from the points.

Figures show Walsall Manor Hospital is on course to have vaccinated almost 1,000 people in a fortnight against swine flu with an increasing amount being sent to intensive care.

The growing problem was revealed by the hospital’s chief executive Sue James at Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust Board meeting yesterday.

She said: “We are now beginning to see things hot up and are seeing a second surge of swine flu.

“We are not in such dire straits as some places but we are finding a small number of patients admitted need to be treated in intensive care.

“We are in an unfolding situation and it is difficult to predict how things are going to develop.

“We vaccinated 300 patients last week and are on track to double that this week.”

Medical director at Walsall Manor Mike Browne said: “We can double our capacity if we need to, although we are nowhere near that stage yet. Nationally we are seeing increased of 50 per cent week on week.”