A TOTAL of 26 people with coronavirus, being treated at Russells Hall Hospital, have now died.

Hospital bosses confirmed today that a further six patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 have now passed away.

Diane Wake, chief executive of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust which runs Russells Hall Hospital, said: "Sadly, we can confirm that 26 patients being cared for at our hospital, who had tested positive for COVID-19, have died."

The six patients were aged between 50 and 97 years old and all had underlying health conditions.

Ms Wake added: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of those patients at this very difficult and distressing time."

The national death toll has topped 1,408, according to latest figures published by Public Health England, and 22,141 people nationally have tested positive for coronavirus.