No Coronavirus hospital deaths were recorded across the whole of the North West today as NHS England revealed that another vaccination landmark has been passed.

Elsewhere in the country, a further 23 people, who tested positive for Covid-19 have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 86,176.

Patients were aged between 15 and 91 years old. All except one patient had known underlying health conditions.

Date of death ranges from March 19 to March 27 with the majority being on or after March 25.

The NHS in England has vaccinated more than 25 million people against Covid-19, with the number of people receiving their second dose reaching a new weekly high.

Over 2.5 million people have now received their second jab, with more than one in three of those taking place just in the last week, when more than 900,000 returned to get their next dose, around twice as many as did so the week before.

Focus is now on making sure that absolutely everyone in the most at-risk cohorts has had the chance to be vaccinated, ahead of the target of offering all priority groups their first vaccine by April 15 and when there is tighter supply of available doses next month.  

The country’s top GP is today urging those aged 50-69 yet to get their first jab, to come forward.

Three in four 50-54 year olds have now already been jabbed, up from half in the last week. 

Dr Nikki Kanani, GP and NHS medical director for primary care, said: “The NHS in England has now vaccinated 25 million people which is an unbelievable achievement by NHS staff across the country, who have continued to work at speed.

“At the same time as increasing second doses week on week, the NHS is reaching out to those 50-69 year-olds who haven’t yet taken up the offer to be vaccinated. 

“If you are one of those people yet to book a first dose, please come forward and get your life-saving Covid-19 vaccine which will not only protect you but those around you.”