Two more patients to test positive for coronavirus have died at Gorleston’s James Paget Hospital.

It brings the total number of deaths where the virus has been a factor to 45.

The hospital recorded its first coronavirus death on March 29.

In a statement the hospital said: “Sadly, we can confirm that two patients who were being cared for at the James Paget University Hospital, and had tested positive for Covid-19, have died.

“The patients who died were a woman in her 80s and a man in his 70s.

“Both had underlying health conditions.

“Their families have been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.”

Of the 45 who have died in hospital all have been described as having underlying health conditions.

MORE: ‘We need to fight this’ - Business owners denied insurance payouts call upon ministers to take actionThe total figure comprises 18 women and 27 men, equating to 40pc and 60pc.

It means for every two women, three men die.

The total number of deaths across Norfolk now stands at 148, as 15 new fatalities were recorded in a single day.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn released no new figures on Wednesday, but today (Thursday April 16) announced that a further 10 patients had died after contracting Covid-19.

One patient died on April 10 and another the day after, while four patients died on both April 12 and April 13, taking the current total at that hospital to 51.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital confirmed that three more patients have died in their care after being diagnosed with the virus, taking the death toll there to 52.

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