THERE are now 24 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Dudley and 20 in Sandwell, according to official figures which show more rises.

Cases confirmed by Public Health England reached 24 in the Dudley borough and 20 across Sandwell as of Sunday, March 22.

This was up from Saturday (March 21) when there were 19 cases in the Dudley borough and 15 across Sandwell.

Hampshire is the local authority at the top of the table with 156 cases.

Yesterday (Sunday March 22), the UK death toll hit 281 - up from 233 deaths the day before, with 5,683 cases confirmed, up from 5,018 cases the day before.

Last Friday's figures showed there had been 177 deaths with 3,983 coronavirus cases confirmed.

So far eight people have died in Dudley and there has been one death in Sandwell.

Yesterday Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust confirmed the death of a patient in their 80s with underlying health conditions, who was being treated at Sandwell Hospital in West Bromwich.

Toby Lewis, Chief Executive at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust said: “Sadly, we can confirm the death of a patient at Sandwell Hospital who had tested positive for COVID-19.

"The patient was a man in his early 80s and had underlying health conditions.

"The family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.”

It is not yet known if the man was a Sandwell resident.

All of the people who died had underlying health conditions.

As the Government is no longer testing people who are self-isolating with mild symptoms, many cases may not be detected.