FIVE people who tested positive for coronavirus have now died at a neighbouring health trust, as the number continues to rise.

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has reported that all were patients at the Queen Alexandra Hospital and had underlying health conditions.

It comes as a further 39 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

It brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in England to 167, NHS England said.

Within the latest figures four people have died at the Portsmouth hospital after testing positive.

John Knighton, medical director at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Sadly, we can confirm that four patients who were being cared for at Queen Alexandra Hospital and had COVID-19, have died.

“The patients, two women, aged 89 and 98, and two men, aged 70 and 90, all had underlying health conditions.

“We have informed the families of the patients and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.”

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement will not be giving out any further information on these patients.

On March 18 the trust also announced that a 59-year-old woman who tested positive for coronavirus had died. She had underlying health conditions.