THIRTEEN coronavirus-related deaths have been recorded by Cheshire hospitals in the latest 24-hour reporting period.

NHS England figures released this afternoon show that four of those patient deaths were registered by the Countess of Chester Hospital Trust.

One of the deaths occurred yesterday while three patients died on January 6, according to the data.

East Cheshire (3), Mid Cheshire (2) and Warrington & Halton (4) hospital trusts also recorded additional deaths in the latest one-day reporting period.

The total number of Covid-19 patient deaths recorded in Cheshire's hospital trusts since the coronavirus pandemic began is:

  • Countess of Chester: 383
  • East Cheshire: 216
  • Mid Cheshire: 339
  • Warrington and Halton: 326
  • Total: 1,264

The daily NHS England data provides information on deaths of patients who have died in hospitals in England and had either tested positive for Covid-19 or where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

Meanwhile, a further 354 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Cheshire West and Chester according to the Government's latest one-day reporting figures.

A total of 2,042 people in the borough tested positive for the virus between December 28, 2020 and January 3, 2021.

That has meant the infection rate has increased to 595 cases per 100,000 people for that week alone.

By contrast, one month ago the infection rate for the area was hovering at around 100 cases per 100,000.

Soaring infection rates across the UK have led to the current coronavirus lockdown restrictions.