First coronavirus death in more than a week is confirmed at Northampton General Hospital

Covid-19 claimed its first victim in more than a week at Northampton General Hospital, taking the known number of lives lost to 664 across the country.

Monday's death, confirmed in Wednesday's NHS daily bulletin, was the first among patients testing positive for coronavirus at the Cliftonville site since Sunday, July 26.

It is the most number of days between fatalities since the pandemic started ripping through Northamptonshire back in March.

The virus' first victim in Northampton, a 92-year-old, died on March 16. Three more deaths which followed on March 26 were the first of a sobering 209 at NGH in the next 59 days until May 14.

Wednesday's news takes the total number of Covid-19 deaths at NGH to 311 with another 219 victims at Kettering General Hospital.

Deaths of 134 residents in Northamptonshire care homes are also linked to Covid-19 according to information gathered by the Care Quality Commission.

One further fatality was confirmed among patients under the care of Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust. which provides physical and mental health services at home, through GP practices, clinics, schools, prisons and in residential and hospital environments.

The Trust also at prisons in Huntingdon, Bedford, Lichfield, March and Rugby plus at Yarls Wood Immigration Removal Centre near Bedford. No location has been confirmed for any of the 15 deaths conected with the Trust so they is not included in our figures for Northamptonshire.

HERE'S THE ADVICE YOU NEED TO FOLLOW IN AND AROUND NORTHAMPTONNorthampton is currently on a Public Health England list of authorites which are "areas of concern" over rising infection rates.

Extra guidance was issued to residents last month urging them to limit going out and mixing with other households — especially indoors — avoid car-sharing and public transport, and continue working from home where possible. Extra testing capacity was also rolled out in the town.

Lucy Wightman, Director of Public Health at Northamptonshire County Council, says: “As a population we must take collective responsibility to adhere to the guidelines so we can get on top of this situation.

“If you concerned you have coronavirus or experience symptoms — high temperature, new continuous cough or a change in sense of smell or taste — it is essential that you book a test. The more people who get tested the more likely we are able to understand the situation and then we can take measures to address them."

Tests can be booked online at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Home testing kits can also be ordered subject to availability.