Tragic milestone at Blackpool Victoria Hospital as deaths pass 100 mark

The death toll at the Whinney Heys Road hospital stood at 102 this afternoon, up from 97 yesterday, statistics released by NHS England revealed.

Some 135 patients have been discharged, a tweet from the trust said.

There are at least 333 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the council area of Blackpool, though a lack of widespread testing means the true figure is likely to be much higher.

There are at least 2,381 confirmed cases in the council area of Lancashire, which includes Fylde and Wyre.

Many of those patients will be being treated at the Vic, where medics were recently warned that the peak of the disease is not expected until mid-May.

Meanwhile, work was underway on the Central Car Park near to Yeadon Way this afternoon, with swathes fenced off, leading to suggestions a coronavirus testing station is being built there.

One sign said: "Exclusion zone."

However, an on-duty security guard, told The Gazette the work related to drain cleaning.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) did not say, when asked, whether the site is going to be a resort testing centre or not.

A spokesman said the Department "can't speculate as to what is happening" but said an announcement would be made if there "are any plans" for one there.

The Lancashire Resilience Forum, set up to lead efforts to battle the disease in the county, was also contacted, but no response was received.