THE Countess of Chester Hospital Trust has recorded three additional deaths of patients testing positive for coronavirus in the latest 24-hour reporting period.

NHS England data released this afternoon (July 3) shows that, as of 5pm yesterday, the total number of deaths registered by the trust – which covers both the Chester and Ellesmere Port hospital sites – rose to 215.

At the present time the data showing when the deaths occurred is unavailable.

The Cheshire hospital death toll now stands at 699 with Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust registering 210, East Cheshire NHS Trust 141, and Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 133.

As of 9.45pm last night, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Cheshire West and Chester had risen by more than 700 to 1,927 due to reporting changes that came into effect yesterday.

The figures now include swab testing for the wider population, as set out in government guidance, and not just lab-confirmed positive cases.

Across England, a further 38 people – a rise of three compared to yesterday – who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals to 28,832.

Patients were aged between 33 and 96 years-old. Two patients, aged 50 and 69, had no known underlying health conditions.

Today, nine deaths are reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.