THE tally of people who have died at Basildon & Thurrock Hospital with coronavirus-related causes now stands at 180, while the number of confirmed cases of people with the infection in Thurrock is 218, an increase of just one from yesterday (Saturday, 18 April).

Basildon Hospital remains the worst-hit by the virus of all of Essex's seven hospitals and one of the worst in the East of England.

The slight increase in Thurrock, and at the hospital where there was only one newly reported death, is reflected in national figures also released today.

The total of newly recorded deaths in hospitals is up by 596, taking the national total to 16,060 - and overall there have been 120,067 reported infections across the country.