Nine more people who were being treated for Covid-19 have died in hospitals in Suffolk and north Essex.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which manages Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, confirmed on Thursday that seven more coronavirus patients had died.

Two patients, one in their 80s and one in their 60s, died at Ipswich Hospital.

Meanwhile in Colchester, ESNEFT confirmed five patients - two in their 90s and three in their 70s - have sadly passed away.

All seven patients had an underlying health condition.

Nick Hulme, chief executive of ESNEFT, said: “Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patients’ families and loved ones at this difficult time.”

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which is responsible for West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, said a further two patients - one in their 90s and one in their 70s - had died after testing positive for the virus.

Both patients had underlying health conditions.

Dr Stephen Dunn, chief executive of the trust, said: “Our thoughts and condolences remain with their families and loved ones at this difficult time.”

The total number of people who have died with coronavirus at ESNEFT’s hospitals is now at 282, while there have been 46 reported deaths at West Suffolk Hospital.

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