TWO patients have died of coronavirus today at hospitals in the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

The news comes after a death was confirmed at the Harrogate and District NHS hospital earlier.

The number of deaths in the UK from Covid-19 reached 67 today.

All three who died were elderly patients with underlying health conditions.

Martin Barkley, Chief Executive of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Sadly, we can confirm that two patients who were being cared for at our hospital sites, and had tested positive for COVID-19, have died. Both of these patients were in their 70s and had significant underlying health conditions.

“Clearly it is a distressing time for the families and our thoughts are with them.

“The Trust is continuing to follow all of the appropriate infection control guidance to provide safe and effective care to our patients.”

The trust's hospitals include Pinderfields in Wakefield, Pontefract and Dewsbury and District.

A Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “Sadly, we can confirm that an elderly patient who was being cared for at Harrogate District Hospital, and had tested positive for Covid-19, has died.

“The patient had other significant underlying health conditions.

“The patient’s family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.”