There have been no further deaths of patients being treated for coronavirus in hospitals in Suffolk and north Essex for the second day in a row.

Neither East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) or West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust reported a death related to Covid-19 on Friday.

The number of people who have died with coronavirus at ESNEFT’s hospitals stays at 345, with the death toll for West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds at 79.

The news comes as the UK government lowered the coronavirus alert level down from four to three, meaning further lockdown restrictions could be eased.

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Coronavirus lockdown measures have been relaxed in recent weeks, with schools opening for certain age groups, all non-essential shops allowed to reopen and people permitted to exercise an unlimited amount per day.

Health Secretary and West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock hailed the move to reduce the alert level as “a big moment for the country” and proof that the government’s plan to contain the virus is working.

He added: “Infection rates are rapidly falling, we have protected the NHS and, thanks to the hard work of millions in our health and social care services, we’re getting the country back on her feet.”

Suffolk currently has 1,545 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with the number for Essex at 3,349.

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