THE first coronavirus-related death in Warrington has been confirmed.

A 59-year-old man who had tested positive for covid-19 died in Warrington Hospital on Thursday, March 19.

It is understood that he had an underlying health condition.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Simon Constable said: “We can confirm that, sadly, a 59-year old male patient has passed away at Warrington Hospital on Thursday, March 19.

“The patient had tested positive for covid-19.

“Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patient’s family and loved ones at this difficult time."

The latest official government statistics, released last night, showed that four people in the town had been diagnosed with coronavirus.

However, it is unclear what the exact number of cases is as the figures for Warrington and Halton have been combined.

And this does not include patients who are self-isolating after showing symptoms but have not been formally tested.