Further 36 coronavirus patients have died in hospitals in Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire

It means a total of 4,801 people have now died in the region's hospitals after contracting the virus. While a total of 923 people have died in the region's care homes after catching the disease.

On Wednesday, NHS England announced a further 674 deaths in hospitals in the country. It means a total of 53,069 have now died in hospitals in England.

No new deaths were recorded at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, where the death toll remained at 464.

A further eight deaths were confirmed 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 942.

Three new deaths were announced at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, where 684 people have now died.

One more death was recorded at the Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, where the total stands at 441.

One further death was announced at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, where the total stands at 455.

A total of 23 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 1,698.

Elsewhere, four deaths were announced at the Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust. A spokesman for NHS England said: "A further 674 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 53,069.

"Patients were aged between 21 and 101 years old. All except 29 (aged 50 to 101 years old) had known underlying health conditions.

"Date of death ranges from 11 November 2020 to 5 January 2021.

"Their families have been informed."