Coronavirus UK deaths rise to 53: How many victims from the Midlands?

As the first coronavirus death in Wales is announced, it brings the total number of UK deaths to fifty three – with over 1,543 people in the country positively diagnosed with COVID-19.

Along with the Welsh fatality reported today, it has also been announced that a man died in Salisbury Hospital after contracting COVID-19. Of the positively diagnosed, 91 are believed to be from the Midlands.

Globally, more than 169,000 are infected with COVID-19, with over 6,500 deaths.

A Public Health England briefing has reportedly claimed the coronavirus could see up to 7.9 million people requiring hospital treatment in the UK over the next 12 months. The document also suggests that healthcare workers who have symptoms of COVID-19 would not necessarily be tested.

Yesterday, NHS England issued statements on behalf of hospital trusts where other patients with coronavirus died, including in the Midlands. Here’s what we know about local coronavirus deaths so far.

• Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust confirmed a woman in her 60s had tested positive died and had underlying medical conditions.
• Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust confirmed a patient in their 80s who tested positive and had underlying medical conditions had died. It provided no further details.
• Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said a man in his 90s who was being cared for at Queens Medical Centre had tested positive and died.
• Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust said a man in his mid-80s, being cared for at City Hospital, had died.
• Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said a man in his 80s, being treated at New Cross Hospital, had died.
• University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said a man being cared for at Leicester Royal Infirmary had died. He was in his 80s.
• A woman in her 70s, who also had underlying health conditions and was treated in a Wolverhampton hospital, died too. She is believed to have caught the virus in Britain.

Coronavirus in the UK and Midlands

The COVID-19 Coronavirus is spreading globally at an alarming rate, with concerns heightened due to the lack of vaccine for the virus’ current strain, which can be lethal to those with weakened immune systems.

Last week, a patient at the Royal Berkshire Hospital who tested positive for coronavirus was confirmed as the UK’s first Coronvirus related fatality. This came on the same day an individual in Birmingham tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the city’s first patient with the infection.

Fifty threee people have since died in the UK from the virus, with the UK government’s chief medical adviser suggesting people who show “even minor” signs of respiratory tract infections or a fever could soon be told to self-isolate in an effort to tackle the outbreak.

The government is stepping up its coronavirus response, in order to delay its spread, including calling on people to stay away from social spaces, unnecessary travel; and work from home where required.

Large events have not officially been banned but guidance suggests they be avoided, as the government announces there will be no official support for mass gatherings. Scores of events up and down the country have already been cancelled or postponed.

Members of the public have been urged not to panic buy as retailers reassure customers they have healthy supply chains, but panic buying could deprive the most vulnerable from essential sanitary items and medication.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his chief medical advisers have said most British people should expect social disruption as the projected rate of spread accelerates. With many European neighbours including Italy and Spain enforcing more serious “lockdown” measures and curfews, the UK government is as yet not closing schools – despite calls from teachers and parents to do so. However, the PM has not ruled out the action in the near future.

The official UK death toll presently sits at thirty-five, with some speculation that it may be higher, at thirty-seven. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is encouraging more tests on individuals while the UK government is no longer committing to mass testing.

According to official figures, London is at the centre of the escalating coronavirus outbreak in Britain. All of the top 12 areas with the highest number of Covid-19 cases are in the capital or in commuter-belt counties. Out of 1,099 confirmed cases in England, 407 were in the London NHS region and 175 in the South East. Combined, this is more than half the total.

Yesterday (Sunday), Health Secretary Matt Hancock said over-70s could be told to stay home for up to four months within the “coming weeks”.

Under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020, which were passed last month, a person who is required to be kept in isolation can be taken there by a constable, with the use of “reasonable force, if necessary”.

Failure to comply with restrictions, or absconding from isolation, is punishable with a fine of up to £1,000.

If you’re worried about coronavirus symptoms or have related concerns, please visit: https://gov.uk/coronavirus.