DUDLEY hospital chiefs have confirmed a further three patients with coronavirus have died.

The deaths of three people who tested positive for COVID-19 were announced by Diane Wake, chief executive of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, in a statement today (Sunday, March 29).

The three patients were aged between 69 and 85-years-old and all but one had underlying health conditions.

In a statement Diane Wake said: "The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust is currently treating patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus).

"Sadly, we can confirm that 21 patients being cared for at our hospital, and had tested positive for COVID-19, have died. Three of those have been announced today.

"The patients were aged between 69 and 85 years old and all but one had underlying health conditions.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of those patients at this very difficult and distressing time."

The number of coronavirus cases in the UK stands at 19,522 as of 9am on March 29, according to figures released by Public Health England.

As of 5pm on March 28, of those hospitalised in the UK, 1,228 have sadly died, the Department of Health said.