Coronavirus: Eighth person has died in UK after testing positive for Covid-19

Two more UK patients have died of coronavirus – making them the seventh and eighth patients has died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England said.

A lab technician Northwell Labs begins semi-automated testing for COVID-19.

Diane Wake, chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said in a statement: "The Trust can confirm that a patient in their 70s being treated for underlying health conditions has died. The patient had tested positive for Covid-19.

"The family has been informed and our condolences 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."

NHS England said another patient had died in Warwickshire after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to eight.

Dr Catherine Free, medical director at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, said: "The Trust can confirm that an elderly patient being treated for a number of serious underlying health conditions has died. The patient had tested positive for Covid-19."The family has been informed and our condolences 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."