Coronavirus: England’s hospital death toll rises by 28

Brings total number of confirmed Covid-19 deaths reported in hospitals to 30,166, NHS England says

A further 28 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England.

The deaths bring the total number of confirmed Covid-19 fatalities reported in hospitals to 30,166, NHS England said.

Patients were aged between 69 and 94 years old. All had underlying health conditions.

The deaths were between 1 October and 3 October. Most were on or after 2 October.

One other death was reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.

The Scottish Government said no coronavirus deaths were recorded on Sunday although cases rose by 758 to 32,209.

Public Health Wales also said there were no additional deaths but cases increased by 432 to 25,852.

Northern Ireland’s figures will be released later on Sunday.

Eleven of the deaths in England were recorded in the North East and Yorkshire. There were no deaths in London or the South West.

Last Sunday, there were 17 coronavirus-related deaths recorded in English hospitals. 

The latest death figures come as the health secretary, Matt Hancock, said the NHS Covid-19 app had now been downloaded 15 million times.

"It's gone off the shelf like hotcakes, like digital hotcakes," he told the Conservative Party conference. 

The app was finally launched in September, having originally been promised by Mr Hancock for mid-May.

During an interview with Andrew Marr on Sunday morning, Boris Johnson warned of a "tough winter" in the battle against the virus.

The prime minister said there would be "bumpy" months ahead, though he hoped the situation would be "radically different" by spring.