Mid and south Essex hospitals see big jump in Covid deaths

NHS England figures show 1,879 people had died in hospital at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Wednesday (January 27).

That was an increase of 28 compared to Tuesday, when there were a combined total of 1,851 reported by the trust's predecessors.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust was formed in April 2020 from the merger of Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The victims were among 8,157 deaths recorded across the East of England.

Daily death counts are revised each day, with each case backdated to the actual date of death.

This means some of the deaths that were first recorded in the latest period may actually have taken place days earlier.

NHS England guidance states: "Confirmation of Covid-19 diagnosis, death notification and reporting in central figures can take up to several days and the hospitals providing the data are under significant operational pressure."

Only deaths that occur in hospitals where the patient has tested positive for Covid-19 are recorded, with deaths in the community excluded, such as those in care homes.

READ MORE: 

• Matt Hancock heaps praise on Basildon ICU staff during visit
• Covid infection rates falling across all parts of south Essex - here are the latest stats