CUMBRIA has seen a surge in Covid-19 hospital deaths, with a further four fatalities added to the toll in north Cumbria over the last 24 hours.

The NHS trust that runs The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven - North Cumbria Integrated Care Foundation Trust - has now reported a total of 273 hospital covid deaths.

The virus has claimed 19 lives at the trust in the last 14 days.

The death toll also grew significantly overnight at the NHS trust which manages Furness General Hospital.

In the last 24 hours, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Foundation Trust, which also runs a major hospital in Lancashire, added six more deaths to its total.

The total there is now 390.

Over the last 16 days, 40 people who were being treated for Covid-19 by the trust's hospitals have lost their lives.

According to the latest Government data - which may not be up to date - South Lakeland has so far suffered the most Covid-19 deaths, with the total currently recorded as 153.

Second worst is Carlisle, with 141 deaths recorded, followed by Barrow with 115. In Allerdale, there have been 103 deaths recorded; in Copeland 82; and in Eden 57. Across Cumbria as a whole, since the pandemic began, the death toll is recorded as 785.

All the fatalities recorded are those which have occurred within 28 days of a positive test result for Covid-19.

The figures were released just days after reports that staff at The Cumberland Infirmary were nearing breaking point as they battled to cope with a surge in hospital admissions.

Experts have repeatedly warned that the new variant of coronavirus - far more infectious that its predecessor - continue to pose a risk to our communities.

With the majority of people not yet protected by a vaccination, officials say that it is vital to continue observing the rules of social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing.

Everybody should abide by the Tier 4 rules, say the experts. Not doing can put lives at risk, they warn.