NEARLY 200 people in Dudley and Sandwell have tested positive for coronavirus.

Latest available figures from Public Health England show 83 people have now tested positive for COVID-19 in Dudley and 116 in Sandwell – a total of 199.

Seventeen people with coronavirus have died at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, while 11 patients with COVID-19 have passed away at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.

Toby Lewis, chief executive at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, said, said: “The patients, whose ages ranged from 45 to 90, had underlying health conditions. Our thoughts and condolences remain with their families at this very difficult and distressing time.”

The number of UK deaths of patients with COVID-19 now stands at more than 1,000.