Coronavirus deaths increase locally

East Cheshire NHS Trust trust, which runs Macclesfield, Knutsford and Congleton hospitals has reported its 250th death of a patient from coronavirus.

Seven new Covid-19 deaths in the hospitals were reported by NHS England on January 26.

The Trust has seen the number of Covid patient deaths increase faster during January than at any other time since the first peak came to an end last spring.

East Cheshire Trust has reported a total of 51 deaths in 2021.

Only deaths that occur in hospitals where the patient has tested positive for Covid-19 are recorded by NHS England – with deaths in the community excluded, such as those in care homes.