Number of deaths from Covid-19 in Morecambe Bay hospitals passes 550

There have now been a total of 557 deaths from Covid-19 recorded at hospitals run by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust (UHMBT).

The deaths are recorded when someone has died after testing positive for coronavirus within the last 28 days at UHMBT hospitals, with the numbers roughly split between the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital in Barrow.

These figures do not include deaths outside hospital, such as those in care homes.

As of Tuesday February 16, there were 143 patients in UHMBT hospitals being treated for Covid-19, 10 of which were on ventilators.

Since the start of the pandemic, as of Sunday February 14, UHMBT has treated 1,798 people for the virus.

Meanwhile, in the Lancaster City Council region itself, the total number of deaths within 28 days of first positive test result for Covid-19 reported up to Tuesday February 23 is 278.

The total number of deaths where Covid-19 is mentioned as a cause on the death certificate, registered up to Friday February 12, is 289.

The total number of people with a positive Covid-19 virus test (either lab-reported or lateral flow device) reported up to Tuesday February 9 in the Lancaster region is 8,479.