A FURTHER 7 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Figures published on Thursday afternoon revealed almost 1,600 people had now died in our region's hospitals following the virus.

On a national level, NHS England said a further 185 people died in hospitals across the country in the past 48 hours.

A spokesperson for NHS England said: "A further 185 people, who tested positive for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 26,234.

"Patients were aged between 28 and 99 years old.  Five of the 185 patients (aged 65 and 96) had no known underlying health condition. Their families have been informed."

The total number of patient deaths recorded by each trust as of 5pm on Wednesday, May 27 are: 

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust – 228 was 227 

Gateshead Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – 129 no change

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – 186 no change

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust – 115 was 114

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust –  228 was 226 

South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust - 318 no change

Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 112 was 111 

York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 205 was 203

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust –  64 no change

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (mental health) –  7 no change 

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (mental health) – 7 no change

Total: 1,599 was 1,592 the day before