THE Countess of Chester Hospital Trust did not record any additional coronavirus deaths in the latest 24-hour reporting period, according to the latest NHS England data.

Figures released this afternoon (May 18) also show that, as of 5pm yesterday, the most recent registered deaths were on Thursday, May 14.

The trust – which covers both the Chester and Ellesmere Port hospital sites – has recorded a total of 149 deaths of patients who tested positive for the virus.

The Cheshire Hospital death toll now stands at 524 – a daily increase of just one death.

The Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has recorded the most deaths with 161, followed by Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (113) and East Cheshire NHS Trust (101).

There are now 3,161 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county, with Cheshire West and Chester reporting 989, Cheshire East (1,093), Halton (361) and Warrington (718).

Across England, a further 122* people who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals to 24,739.

Patients were aged between 47 and 100 years-old. A total of seven of the 122 patients were aged between 50 and 85, and had no known underlying health condition.

Today, seven deaths are reported with no positive COVID-19 test result.

* The Covid Patient Notification System did not operate for a period of time on Saturday, May 16. The consequences of this situation may therefore be reflected in the number of deaths reported today by NHS England and NHS Improvement.