There have been six more deaths of patients being treated for Covid-19 in hospitals in Suffolk and north Essex.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which manages Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, confirmed six coronavirus patients in their care had died on Wednesday.

Nick Hulme, ESNEFT chief executive, said: “We can confirm that three patients all in their 80s and all of whom had underlying health conditions, have sadly passed away at Ipswich Hospital. “Three patients at Colchester Hospital, one in their 100s, one in their 80s and one in their 70s, all of whom had underlying health conditions have sadly passed away. They had all tested positive for Covid-19.

“Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patients’ families and loved ones at this difficult time.”

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which manages West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, reported no new deaths with Covid-19 on Wednesday.

The new deaths take the total of people who have died with coronavirus at ESNEFT’s hospitals to 276.

The number of people who have died with the virus at West Suffolk Hospital remains at 44.

Their deaths come as the number of people who have contracted the virus in the county rose by 20 overnight to 1,159.

In Essex, the number has risen to 2,725 from 2,699.

Nationwide, 201,101 people are confirmed to have contracted the virus, up 6,111 compared to the same time Tuesday. According to government figures, 30,076 people have died – a rise of 649.

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