THREE more hospital patients have died in Sussex after testing positive for coronavirus.

The latest figures from NHS England show the total death toll in hospitals operated by health trusts in the county is now 549.

The national death toll is now 36,393, up by 351.

Western Sussex Hospitals Foundation Trust reported one fatality, bringing the total number at the trust to 100.

Another Covid-19-related death was reported by East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which manages hospitals in Eastbourne and Bexhill. Its total is now 79.

Sussex and Surrey Healthcare NHS Trust, responsible for hospitals in Crawley and Horsham areas as well as parts of East Surrey, reported another death, bringing the total number for the trust to 233.

The figure for Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust remained the same as the previous day at 122. Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust also reported no additional fatalities and its total remains at 15.

Public Health England said 3,287 more cases have been reported across the UK, bringing the total to 254,195. In Brighton and Hove, three more cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 413. In East Sussex five more were confirmed and the total stands at 674. Three further cases were confirmed in West Sussex, which now has 1,281 cases.