28 more Covid deaths at Black Country, Staffordshire and Birmingham hospitals

Twenty eight more coronavirus deaths have been confirmed across the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire.

The daily number of coronavirus deaths at hospitals in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire as of December 4. By date of death, not the date the death was announced. Data: NHS England.

The deaths announced on Friday mean that 3,838 people have now died in the region's hospitals after contracting Covid-19.

Meanwhile at least 770 people have died in the region's care homes with Covid since the pandemic began, although the true figure is likely to be higher as care home deaths have only been recorded since April 10.

The UK-wide death toll, which includes deaths in and out of hospital within 28 days of a positive test, increased by 504 to 60,617.

Across the region

Two deaths were recorded at the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Sandwell General and City hospitals, where the death toll reached 569.

Five patients also died at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Russells Hall Hospital, where the total increased to 379.

Three more deaths were confirmed at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which runs New Cross and Cannock Chase hospitals, where the death toll now stands at 387.

The cumulative number of coronavirus deaths at hospitals in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire as of December 4. By date of death, not the date the death was announced. Data: NHS England.

The cumulative number of hospital coronavirus deaths, by NHS trust, in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire as of December 4. By date of death, not the date the death was announced. Data: NHS England

And a further six 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 654.

Three deaths were announced at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Walsall Manor Hospital, where 362 people have died.

And four deaths were announced at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull hospitals, where the total stands at 1,390.

Meanwhile four deaths were confirmed at the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs services across Staffordshire, and one death was announced at the Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

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A spokesman for NHS England said: "A further 274 people, who tested positive for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 41,879.

"Patients were aged between 15 and 98 years old. All except seven (aged 15 to 78 years old) had known underlying health conditions.

"Date of death ranges from 26 March to 3 December 2020 with the majority being on or after 23 November.

"Their families have been informed."