Coronavirus: First death in North East confirmed after elderly patient who tested positive for COVID-19 dies

A statement from Dr Deepak Dwarakanath, Deputy Chief Executive and Medical Director at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said that an elderly patient with underlying health conditions, who was being treated at the hospital and had tested positive for COVID-19, has died.

North Tees and Hartlepool Trust said: “Sadly, we can confirm that a patient who was being cared for at University Hospital of North Tees, and had tested positive for COVID-19, has died.

“The family has been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. We will not be commenting further and ask that everybody respects the family’s privacy.”

The Trust said it will not be providing further updates on this matter at this point in time.