Another 26 coronavirus patients die in Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire

The new figures announced yesterday takes the total number of Covid-19 deaths in the region's hospitals to 1,888.

Patients were aged between 15 and 101 years old. 15 of the 391 patients – aged between 49 and 97 years old – had no known underlying health conditions.

A further 674 patients had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, up from 26,097 the day before.

In the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, another six people have died, an increase to 219.

Four more people died at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell and City hospitals, bringing the total to 291.

And one person died at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross Hospital and Cannock Chase Hospital, taking the total to 234.

Seven people have died at the University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust, which runs Stafford's County Hospital and Royal Stoke University Hospital – an increase to 190.

And eight patients died at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust taking the total to 758. The trust runs Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, reported no new deaths.

In England, a further 391 people have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in the country to 20,137.

The news comes as the army man a Covid-19 test centre in Blakenall, Walsall, yesterday.

The drive-through centre has opened as the Government bids to step up testing of key workers.

Meanwhile the NSPCC has said reports from adults concerned about child abuse have increased by almost a fifth during the coronavirus lock down.

Its helpline received 2,216 calls about children facing neglect, physical and emotional abuse in the first four weeks of the lock down. This compares with 1,867 calls made in the four weeks prior.

It comes as retail leaders have told MPs that a fifth of high street stores plan to stay closed permanently after the coronavirus lock down unwinds.

Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee it has been the “worst time ever for retail” after the pandemic hit the UK.

He said 20 per cent of retailers surveyed by the trade body claimed they do not intend to reopen after the lock down.

Meanwhile, more than 9,000 fines have been handed to people in England and Wales for allegedly flouting Covid-19 lockdown laws, according to new figures.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said 8,877 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) have been recorded by forces in England between March 27 and April 27, while 299 were issued in Wales over the same period.

Some 397 were for repeat offenders, with one person fined six times.

And finally, Captain Tom Moore has been sent congratulatory messages from both the Queen and the Prime Minster as he celebrates turning 100.

Others to wish him well included Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, singer Michael Ball, and presenter Paddy McGuinness.