Number of known Covid-19 cases tops 500 in Norhamptonshire, 54 now dead in county's hospitals

The number of known Covid-19 cases topped 500 in Northamptonshire while the official death toll in the county's two acute hospitals rose to 54 last night.

Seven more people died at Northampton General Hospital between April 3 and April 7, taking the total there to 32.

NHS officials confirmed two more deaths at Kettering General Hospital in the period up to 5pm on Tuesday (April 7).

Public Health England put the figure of positive tests in the county at 536 as at 9am yesterday (Wednesday March 8) — a rise of 63 in the previous 24 hours and 339 in six days.

County council staff will continue manning a dedicated helpline launched to support those in need in Northamptonshire on Good Friday and Easter Monday to deal with calls.

More than 900 people have phoned the service in less than week following its launch on April 2.

If you need help, call the support line on 0300 126 1000 and press option 5. Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

The support line targets the large number of people in isolation countywide and who have nobody to call on for help in getting food, prescriptions and other vital services. The Community Resilience Service co-ordinates requests for help in conjunction with local councils,

County Council leader Matt Golby said: “Already the Community Resilience Hub is making a big difference to people in Northamptonshire with countless examples of how communities have come together to provide support for those who are in need.

“It’s heart-warming to see people pulling together at this time and I’m delighted that we’re able to extend this service to the two Bank Holidays when our Customer Service Centre would normally be closed.

“I would also like to thank everyone who is making this happen – showing terrific dedication in this time of crisis.”

Across the UK, a record rise of 938 deaths in a 24-hour period were reported in NHS hospitals up to Tuesday evening. The total number of UK deaths now stands at 7,097, according to the latest Department of Health figures.

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