Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow had the highest number of deaths from coronavirus in the East of England at the start of April.

The hospital’s first death was reported on March 21. By March 24 ten more people had died.

And by April 2, 21 coronavirus deaths had been confirmed - the highest in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Across the region there had been 1,632 cases of Covid-19 and 147 deaths.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Some of April's front pages

Lance McCarthy, chief executive of the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: “Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patients’ families and loved ones at this difficult time.”

Essex then accounted for 380 of the UK’s 25,150 confirmed cases, but experts believed the actual number could be far higher.

East London council leaders claimed they did not have enough protective equipment to keep those in care homes safe from the coronavirus pandemic.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Some of April's front pages

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told parliament all care homes should have personal protective equipment (PPE) by the end of the last week of March.

However, Redbridge Council received only a week’s worth of masks and aprons and no gloves, according to its leader Cllr Jas Athwal.

Waltham Forest Council, meanwhile, said PPE is “in short supply” and is calling on local businesses to donate spare equipment.

On April 9, we reported how the family of a midwife who died after testing positive for coronavirus have paid tribute to the “unfailing” love of their mum, sister, daughter and grandmother.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Some of April's front pages

Lynsay Coventry, who worked at the Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust, was the first serving NHS midwife in England whose death was publicly confirmed.

Colleagues highlighted Ms Coventry’s “professionalism and commitment” throughout her 10 years at the trust.

Ms Coventry’s relatives said: “As a family, our hearts are broken at the loss of our loving, wonderful and caring mum, sister, daughter and grandmother."

Coronavirus survivors thanked the NHS "heroes" who saved their lives.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Some of April's front pages

Very Masire, a nursery practitioner and mother of four, was considered a ‘high risk’ individual as she suffers from a chronic illness.

She spent five days in Princess Alexandra Hospital, and said: “I want to say a big thank you to my heroes at the hospital for their hard work and I encourage others to please follow all of the advice to stay at home to protect the NHS and help save lives.”

Elliot Bourne was admitted to Whipps Cross Hospital with suspected Covid-19 on March 14.

He had been deteriorating for six days with coughing, breathing difficulties and a 40-degree temperature.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Some of April's front pages

Elliot said: “I was picked up by an ambulance after my wife called 999 and the paramedics discovered that my lungs were working at 40 per cent. This was a shock as I am normally fit and healthy. Even more

surprising was that it was discovered that I had severe pneumonia and I was admitted to an isolation ward.

“I was put onto an oxygen machine and remained on this for seven days while my temperature, coughing and breathing difficulties subsided."

Essex Labour councillors called for an emergency meeting with the man in charge of social care in the county after one care home reported 17 care home residents and a staff member at one Essex care home died in the space of a few weeks.

The care home said six residents died in hospital, but a lack of testing meant “it was not clear” if the others had Covid-19.

Quantum Care, which operates the site, called on the Government to increase coronavirus testing at care homes.

And as the month ended, it emerged a school for autistic children where parents said staff ignored concerns about students’ education and safety was being shut down.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Some of April's front pages

The National Autistic Society decided to close The Anderson Foundation in Luxborough Lane,

In 2019, Essex County Council began helping parents withdraw students it had placed at the school. Redbridge Council was also understood to have withdrawn placements.