Coronavirus: Death toll of Leicestershire hospital patients passes 200

The update was given by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, which manages city hospitals where those suffering from the disease across the county are taken for treatment.

A trust spokesperson said: “Sadly, we can confirm that 203 patients being cared for at our hospitals, and who had tested positive for COVID-19, have died.

“Seven of those deaths have been announced today (Tuesday).

“The ages of the patients range between those in their 50s to those in their 80s.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of the patients at this very difficult and distressing time.”

Office of National Statistics (ONS) say 26 people have also died in Leicestershire care homes outside the city and three people at home.

There had been 776 confirmed cases of patients with coronavirus in the latest ONS data on April 23.

Public Health England report that approximately 60 care homes in the county have experienced outbreaks or single cases of residents with Covid-19.