No new coronavirus deaths recorded for second day at Morecambe Bay hospitals as care home deaths are revealed for first time

On Wednesday, April 29, there were no new deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 recorded at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT).
The Royal Lancaster InfirmaryThe Royal Lancaster Infirmary
The Royal Lancaster Infirmary

This is the second day in a row that the trust has recorded no new deaths on a given day in over a month.

The total number of people who have died after testing positive for Covid-19 stands at 144.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

New figures also reveal the number of deaths in care homes in Lancaster.

One new death has been recorded in Lancaster since April 25.

Office for National statistics data shows that in Lancaster, 35 deaths involving Covid-19 were provisionally registered up to April 25 – up from 24 the week before.

National care home operators say they fear the sector will become the most affected area of society in terms of Covid-19 fatalities, while the Local Government Association called the number of deaths outside hospital across England and Wales "truly shocking."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced that from April 29, the Government will publish daily data on deaths from coronavirus in cares homes and the community, as well as those in hospitals.

UHMBT said it has so far discharged 223 people after they were treated for Covid-19 across its hospitals.

The majority of people who contract the disease do not need hospital treatment.

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

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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”.