THE number of new deaths from coronavirus-related conditions continues to drop in Bromsgrove – but the district’s overall Covid-19 death toll is nearing the 100 mark.

Figures updated on a weekly basis every Tuesday by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that 92 people in Bromsgrove have died with coronavirus since the outbreak of the pandemic.

However, the number of new Covid-19 deaths – 12 – in the district for the week ending May 1 is the lowest in more than a month, dating back to the last week in March, when seven were recorded.

That figure rose to 14 for the week ending April 3, 17 the week after and 26 in the week ending April 17, which is the largest weekly Bromsgrove Covid-19 death toll recorded.

Since then, weekly deaths in the district have dropped to 15 for the week ending April 24 and now 12 for the most recent week recorded by the statistics.

Bromsgrove’s 92 deaths overall – which includes 60 in hospitals and 29 in care homes – means it remains the worst-affected area in Worcestershire by the pandemic, with Wyre Forest (84) the next hardest-hit.

With the daily Covid-19 death rate on a downward curve nationwide, the government this week lifted some of the lockdown restrictions on work and exercise.