Coronavirus death toll up by 84 across Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire - bringing total in region to 987

The deaths were among 823 new deaths confirmed across England – with a total of 917 being recorded across the UK.

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It means total death toll in the UK now stands at 9,875, with 987 in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire.

Of the 84 in the region, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust – which runs Sandwell General Hospital and Birmingham's City Hospital – had the highest number of deaths at 30.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, had 29 deaths.

The figures released each day refer to the number of coronavirus-related deaths confirmed in the previous 24 hours - not died in the last 24 hours - and always include patients who died some time earlier but who were yet to be added to statistics due to testing or informing relatives.

A further 12 deaths were recorded at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross Hospital, and seven at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust which runs Russells Hall Hospital.

Four deaths were recorded at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs Stafford County Hospital and Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust recorded one death, with The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust also recording one death.

In Worcester, the death toll now stands after 88 after five new deaths were recorded.

It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced ramped-up measures to ensure NHS and care sector staff get enough personal protective equipment quickly.

A total of 19 NHS workers have died due to coronavirus, the Health Secretary has said.

But the number could already be higher, with tributes paid to more than 20 NHS workers who have died after contracting coronavirus or going into isolation with symptoms.

Mr Hancock said he was particularly struck by the high proportion of people from minority ethnic backgrounds in the NHS who had died.

Meanwhile, Labour has called for an inquiry into why a “disproportionate” number of people who have died from coronavirus come from ethnic minority communities.

Shadow equalities secretary Marsha de Cordova said the disproportionate number of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) doctors who had died was “deeply disturbing”.

In other news, firefighters will start testing face masks for NHS workers and deliver medical supplies as they take on additional roles during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new agreement will see fire service staff transport personal protective equipment (PPE) and test masks for frontline health workers to ensure they fit properly before use.

Firefighters have already agreed to drive ambulances, deliver essential items such as food to vulnerable people and retrieve dead bodies in addition to their core roles.