Six new coronavirus deaths announced over weekend within Morecambe Bay health trust

Three deaths were announced on Saturday, April 25, and three on Sunday April 26, bringing the total across the trust to 142.

This is an increase of 16 on last Monday morning, April 20, when the total across the trust was 126.A further update from the trust via NHS England is expected this afternoon.

The way deaths are announced nationally has now changed, and as a result only trust-wide figures are being released by NHS England.

The trust includes the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal and Furness General Hospital in Barrow.

There is a delay in reporting the figures which means that each death is not reported by the NHS on the following day.

The new statistics include patients who died in hospital - but not other places, such as care homes.

Health chiefs across Morecambe Bay are urging people not to put off getting help when they need it.

The message is: “we’re open, let us help you”.

There is a worry that people are putting themselves or their loved ones at risk by not seeking urgent help when it’s needed.