A FURTHER seven people have died after they tested positive for coronavirus - one of the lowest day-on-day rises since the outbreak began.

Latest figures published on Friday afternoon confirmed a total of 1,476 people have died in hospitals in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

It comes as a further 186 people died in hospitals across England overnight, NHS England said.

A spokesperson said: "A further 186 people, who tested positive for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 24,345.

"Patients were aged between 15 and 99 years old.  10 of the 186 patients (aged between 30 and 94 years old) had no known underlying health condition. Their families have been informed."

Although the figures have reduced, the North-East remains to have the UKs highest coronavirus infection rate with the infection rate particularly high in Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside.

The total number of patient deaths recorded by each trust as of 5pm Wednesday, May 13 are: 

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust – 207 

Gateshead Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – 125 was 123

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – 173 

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust - 95 was 94 

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 215 was 214  

South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust – 301

Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 105 was 103

York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 187 was 186 

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust – 54

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (mental health) - 7

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust (mental health) - 7

Total: 1,476 was 1,469 the day before.