THERE have now been 350 deaths from coronavirus recorded by Cheshire East Council – including more than 140 in care homes.

Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show that 350 deaths from Covid-19 were registered with Knutsford and Wilmslow’s local authority by May 16 – up from 294 by May 9.

The figures include deaths that occurred up to May 8 which were registered up to eight days later.

Of those, 154 occurred outside hospital – including 142 in care homes, seven at private homes and five at hospices or other community sites.

There were 112 deaths from coronavirus recorded in care homes across the borough by May 9.

The Health Foundation says the figures suggest that ‘action has come too late to stem the avoidable loss of life for care home residents, and social care staff’.

Meanwhile, latest figures from East Cheshire NHS Trust, which runs Macclesfield Hospital, show that 103 of its coronavirus patients have died as of 5pm on Monday, May 18.

A week ago, there had been 87 deaths recorded.

There were 1,119 confirmed cases of coronavirus across Cheshire East as of 9am on Tuesday, May 19.

That is an increase of 17 from the same time on Monday, and up from 1,041 one week earlier.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "Every death from this virus is a tragedy and our deepest sympathies go out to the families who have sadly lost relatives.

"Supporting the social care sector throughout this pandemic is a priority. We are working around the clock to give the social care sector the equipment and support they need."