Wirral's coronavirus death toll has increased by one in today's NHS England figures, as new data estimates the North West's R number to be above one.

The most recent fatality occurred yesterday (June 4), taking the total number of patients who have died in Wirral University Teaching Hospital with Covid-19 to 223.

A further 123 people, who tested positive for the Coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 27,282.

Patients were aged between 38 and 105 years old.  One of the 123 patients (aged 86) had no known underlying health condition. Their families have been informed.

New data released today by Public Health England and Cambridge University estimates the North West's R number to be 1.01 - the highest in the country and above the threshold for reducing the spread of coronavirus.

Last week the Globe shared independent research that estimated Wirral's R number to be 0.82, but this revised data from Public Health England suggests that infection could be on the rise again.