Three more coronavirus deaths recorded at Bristol and North Somerset hospitals

Questions remain over the death toll at one of the trusts

The number of people who have died in Bristol in hospital with coronavirus has risen by three.

A total of 118 people have been recorded as dying with Covid-19 at hospitals run by the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust (UHBW) as of yesterday (Tuesday, May 26).

There have been no further coronavirus deaths recorded as having occurred at the North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs Southmead Hospital, so the total there remains at 113.

The recording process does not necessarily mean those deaths took place in those past few days, just that the numbers have been added to the record on receipt of positive tests and records being updated.

UHBW trust, which manages Weston General Hospital, has not revealed the details of its Covid-19 death toll amid the recent spike in cases.

The hospital confirmed on Monday (May 25) it has “temporarily stopped accepting new patients”, even at its A&E department, due to a “high number of patients with coronavirus”.

A leaked memo reportedly showed 64 inpatients are Covid-19 positive and 40 per cent of staff tested have the virus.

It is unclear how many of the 118 deaths happened at Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) and how many happened at Weston General.

Bristol Live and other media outlets have unsuccessfully been trying since Monday to arrange an interview with a spokesperson or senior figure at the hospital.

Latest coronavirus figures

Statistics published by NHS England show the number of reports of cases in the city has risen from 694 on Monday to 696 yesterday (Tuesday, May 27).

In North Somerset, a further five people tested positive for coronavirus have been reported, up from 414 to 419.  

The latest update from Weston General Hospital is that there is an  “emerging picture” of staff with no symptoms are testing positive for Covid-19.

In South Gloucestershire, there have been no new recorded coronavirus cases in the last 24 hour period, staying at 399 cases.

Similarly, in  Bath and North East Somerset, cases remain at 299.