DUDLEY hospital chiefs have confirmed a further two patients being treated for coronavirus in the borough have died.

One patient was aged in their 40s and one was aged in their 80s and were both being treated for underlying health conditions, Diane Wake, Chief Executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed today (Thursday, March 19).

She said: “The Trust can confirm that two more patients, one in their 80s and one in their 40s, with underlying health conditions have died. The patients had tested positive for Covid-19.

“The families have been informed and our condolences and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

“We will not be commenting further and ask that everybody respects the families’ privacy.”

The total number of confirmed deaths in Dudley involving patients with coronavirus is officially seven, while the UK death toll has risen to 137.