THE number of deaths caused by COVID-19 at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) has seen its biggest daily increase to date after a further seven deaths were announced.

The most recent deaths, which were announced on Friday afternoon, take the death toll at SaTH up to 21.

It is yet to be confirmed which hospitals the victims died at.

A spokesman for SaTH said: “The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is currently treating patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus).

“Sadly we can confirm that 21 patients being cared for at our hospitals, and who had tested positive for COVID-19, have died. Seven of those have been announced today.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the families and friends of those patients at this very difficult and distressing time.”

The number of worldwide cases of the coronavirus has surpassed one million, while more than 3,600 deaths have been announced in the UK.