THE LATEST figures released by the NHS show that a further 561 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 2,698.

Patients were aged between 22 and 100 years old. 44 of the 561 patients had no known underlying health condition.

Their families have been informed.

No deaths have been recorded in Worcestershire hospitals yesterday.

The figures on deaths relate to patients who have died in hospital and who have tested positive for COVID-19.

They do not include deaths outside hospital, such as those in care homes, prisons, ambulances or in the community.

READ MORE: How many cases are there in Worcester? When will the figures be published?

READ MORE: Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Worcestershire reaches 201

Globally there have been 961,749 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 49,165 people have died and 203,190 people have recovered from the virus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said testing was "massively increasing" and it was "the way through" the pandemic.

However, the government is still not testing people who are self-isolating with mild symptoms, so it is likely many cases may not be detected.