A TOTAL of 42 patients with Covid-19 in Worcestershire have died, it has been confirmed.

NHS England has announced seven deaths at Worcestershire Acute Hospital Trust hospitals in 24 hours.

It means the total is up to 42 in the county, from the 35 previously reported.

The figures are the latest provided by the public body, and correct as of April 4.

The acute hospital trust covers Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Evesham Community Hospital as well as the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and Kidderminster Hospital.

The health and care NHS trust covers community hospitals and rehabilitation wards, including Worcester City Impatient Unit, Malvern Community Hospital, Evesham Community Hospital, Pershore Community Hospital, the Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Bromsgrove, Tenbury Community Hospital and the Wye Forest Ward.

The seven deaths are included in the 637 nationally, who died after testing positive for coronavirus - that has brought the overall total number of confirmed reported deaths in England to 3,939.

Patients were aged between five years and 104 years old. 40 of the 637 patients (aged between 48 and 93 years old) had no known underlying health condition.

Their families have been informed.