Glimmer of hope as Doncaster coronavirus death toll remains static for three days in a row

The number of fatalities from Covid-19 in the Doncaster and Bassetlaw region stands at 55 – with no new deaths reported since 16 April.

However, the figures do not include deaths in the community or care homes and are only from the deaths reported and recorded in the last 24 hours.

Over the last week, more than 75 people across the hospital Trust region – which includes Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Mexborough’s Montagu Hospital and Worksop’s Bassetlaw Hospital – have been allowed home after successfully recovering from coronavirus.

Nationally, the number of deaths stands at more than 16,000, according to new figures.

The UK death toll has increased by 596 to 16,060 and it comes after the news that protective equipment for NHS staff will not be arriving today as planned.

New data from the National Care Forum estimated that more than 4,000 elderly and disabled people have died across all residential and nursing homes.

The NCF, which represents not-for-profit care providers, found there has been 4,040 coronavirus-related deaths in care homes which are not yet been included in official figures, bringing the UK's total death toll closer to 20,000.

Meanwhile, the vital delivery of protective equipment for NHS staff will not be arriving today as planned because of a delay to 84 tonnes of protective gear from Turkey.