THERE was one new Covid-related deaths recorded across Worcestershire's hospitals on the day that saw the highest death toll to be reported on a Monday since mid-April.

A further 532 people who tested positive for coronavirus died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported in hospitals to 61,453, NHS England said.

The last time the Monday figure, which tends to feature a lag due to reporting limitations over weekends, was that high was on April 13 when 697 deaths were recorded.

The 532 patients were aged between 35 and 103. All except 21, aged between 40 and 97, had known underlying health conditions.

The deaths were between December 13 and January 17, with the majority being on or after January 10.

There were 11 other deaths reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.

The total number of deaths at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust remains at 543, while Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust’s tally has risen to with the total now at 47.

In total, there have been 590 Covid-19 deaths in county hospitals.

The Acute Hospitals 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 Wyre Forest Ward.