Coronavirus: Live updates as Black Country, Staffordshire and Birmingham death toll reaches 1,497

A further 28 people who tested positive for Covid-19 have been confirmed to have died at hospitals across the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire.

It comes as the country enters the fifth week of lockdown and the Government opens its furlough scheme for applications.

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It comes as the Government's chief scientific adviser has warned Covid-19 vaccines are “long shots” and people should not rely on the swift development of one for the virus.

As well as the serious news, we'll be sharing the best of your stories, photos and videos - so please get in touch and let us know how you're spending life under lockdown.

See the latest updates here: