THE total number of people who have died at the Countess of Chester Hospital after testing positive for coronavirus has risen to 13, according to figures released this afternoon (April 4).

NHS England has confirmed that, as of 5pm yesterday, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has recorded a further three deaths in a 24-hour period – taking the total to 13.

In Cheshire the death toll now stands at 48, with 18 recorded by Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 11 by East Cheshire NHS Trust, and 6 by Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Across the UK, a total of 4,313 patients who tested positive for the virus have sadly died – which is another record rise of 708 deaths in a 24-hour period.

As of 9am on April 4, a total of 183,190 people have been tested of which 41,903 cases were positive.

A total of 10,984 tests were carried out yesterday in England.