A TOTAL of 73 patients who tested positive for coronavirus have died at Airedale Hospital.

The news comes as the country sees a significant drop in the number of deaths over the past two days giving hope the peak has passed, though the government says it is still too early to ease lockdown measures.

The latest two deaths occurred on Saturday and Sunday at the hospital.

It takes the total death toll to date in the Bradford district to 190 - 115 at Bradford Royal Infirmary, 73 at Airedale and two at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust.

On Friday we reported the good news that, by April 24 and since the outbreak began, Airedale Hospital had discharged 136 patients who had been suffering with coronavirus.

A spokesman said: "This is great news and credit to all our hard-working staff who have cared for them.

"From our frontline services to pharmacists, scientists, community teams, cleaners, caterers and all our support services, everyone at the trust has played a part in getting these patients home. We wish the patients all the best for their continued recovery."

No details of how many are currently being treated has been released.

In regard to today's announcement, a statement from NHS England read: "A further 329 people, who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 18,749.

"Patients were aged between 29 and 100 years old and 22 of the 329 patients (aged between 29 and 89 years old) had no known underlying health condition.

"Their families have been informed."

Nationally, 350 new deaths have been reported across England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland has yet to declare its total.