An 18-year-old has become the youngest person in England to die from coronavirus.
Some 37 people – aged between 18 and 102 – have died after testing positive for coronavirus in England, bringing the country’s total to 257, NHS England said this evening.
All of the latest victims were in vulnerable groups, including people with underlying conditions.
They included five deaths at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, four at St. Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, four at Croydon Health NHS Trust and one at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
A spokesman for Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust confirmed five patients had died at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough.
In a statement, the trust said: “Their families have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
“The trust, DHSC, NHS England and NHS Improvement will not be giving out any further information on these patients.”
Croydon University Hospital also recorded a further four coronavirus deaths, in addition to three previous fatalities.
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust said it was banning visitors to any of its adult inpatient wards from today.
A statement on the trust’s website said: “We have made the decision to significantly reduce the number of visitors to Croydon University Hospital until further notice.
“From Sunday March 22 we will no longer be allowing visitors to any of our adult inpatient wards and we will ask family members to instead keep in touch via telephone or video calls where possible.”
The trust added: “Women in labour in our maternity unit will still be able to bring a birthing partner with them and children under 16 on our inpatient wards will still be allowed visitors, but these will be limited to two at a time.”
A patient also passed away at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.
They were in their 60s and had underlying health conditions and became the fifth person to have died in the county, Cornwall Council said.
“Their family has been informed about the cause of death and are following national guidance,” a council spokesman said.
“Our thoughts go out to their family and friends at this difficult time.”
It comes after Boris Johnson warned people that further ‘tougher’ measures will be introduced if the government’s current coronavirus advice is not adhered to.
Mr Johnson also urged people to follow the Government’s advice over coronavirus saying: “You have to stay two metres apart and you have to follow the social distancing.”
And he warned he will bring forward further measures if advice is ignored.
He said: “It’s crucial that people understand that tomorrow that the schools are closed.
“I want, of course I do, people to be able to go to the parks, open spaces and enjoy themselves.
“It is crucial for health, physical and mental well-being.
“But please follow that advice and don’t think that fresh air in itself automatically provides some immunity.”
