THE Countess of Chester Hospital Trust has recorded two additional coronavirus deaths in the latest 24-hour period, according to NHS England data.

Figures released this afternoon (May 26) show that, as of 5pm yesterday (May 25), the trust – which covers both the Chester and Ellesmere Port hospital sites – has now recorded 167 deaths.

The data shows that the deaths of the two patients who tested positive for the virus both occurred on May 23.

All other Cheshire hospitals recorded no new coronavirus deaths in the last 24 hours.

The Cheshire Hospital death toll now stands at 562.

The Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has recorded the most deaths with 168, followed by the Countess (167), Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (116) and East Cheshire NHS Trust (111).

There are now 3,424 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county, with Cheshire West and Chester reporting 1,087, Cheshire East (1,188), Halton (391) and Warrington (758).

Across England, a further 116 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals to 25,866.

Patients were aged between 50 and 100 years old. One of the patients, aged 71, had no known underlying health condition.

Today, 16 deaths are reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.