Psychiatric hospitals in Northampton report six deaths between them "since outbreak" of coronavirus

Two psychiatric hospitals based in Northampton have reported six deaths between them since the outbreak of coronavirus.

The number of Covid-19 victims in Northamptonshire passed another grim milestone yesterday (April 17) with more than 150 now dead in the county.

Northampton General Hospital staff alone have seen 93 victims die of Covid-19.

Now, two psychiatric hospitals based in Northampton - St Andrews and Berrywood - have released the number of patient deaths since the outbreak.

The figures do not necessarily add to the totals reported by Northampton General Hospital, as several patients were transferred to NGH for treatment.

A spokeswoman for St Andrew's Hospital said: "83 of our patients have tested positive for COVID-19, of which 49 have recovered across all sites.

"Sadly five patients in our care have passed away since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.

"We cannot currently confirm that the cause of their deaths was COVID-19 as they also had significant underlying health problems, which they were being treated for at the time of their passing.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with their family and friends during this difficult time."

Additionally, any deaths of a patient who is detained under the mental health act will be reported to the county coroner for a public inquest.

A trust spokeswoman for Berrywood Hospital said: “Sadly we can confirm that a service user who was being cared for at Berrywood Hospital, and had tested positive for COVID-19, has died.

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

Official figures from the Department of Health do not include deaths in care homes, hospices and other places outside the county's two acute hospitals, masking the true death toll.