A FURTHER 15 people have died in hospitals across the region after they tested positive for coronavirus.

Figures published on Tuesday afternoon confirmed that a total of 1,519 people had now died in hospitals in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

It comes as a further 174 coronavirus patients died in hospitals in England in the past day.

A spokesperson for NHS England said: "A further 174 people, who tested positive for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 24,913.

"Patients were aged between seven and 102 years old.  Six of the 174 patients (aged between 45 and 90) had no known underlying health condition. Their families have been informed."

The total number of patient deaths recorded by each trust as of 5pm on Monday, May 18 are: 

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust – 215 was 212

Gateshead Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust –126 

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – 181 was 177

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust – 98

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 217 was 216

South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust – 310 was 308 

Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 109 was 108

York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – 193 was 190

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust – 56 was 55

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

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

Total: 1,519 was 1,504 the day before.