The family of a midwife who died after testing positive for coronavirus have paid tribute to the "unfailing" love of their "wonderful and caring mum, sister, daughter and grandmother".

Lynsay Coventry, 54, is the first serving NHS midwife in England whose death has been publicly confirmed, the Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust (PAHT) said.

Colleagues also highlighted Ms Coventry's "professionalism and commitment" throughout her 10 years working at the trust, and the hundreds of women that she supported.

In a statement, 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.

"We each know how much she loved and cherished us. Her love for us all was unfailing and her strength in the way she cared and supported us will fill our memories.

"What we also know is how proud she was to be an NHS midwife."

They said Ms Coventry had "followed her dream" to train as a midwife in later life and that it was a role in which she was "very well-respected".

The number of coronavirus-related hospital deaths now stands at 4,934 patients as of 5pm on Saturday, up by 621 from 4,313 the day before, according to the Department of Health.

Lance McCarthy, chief executive of the PAHT, paid tribute to Ms Coventry's years of service and said the loss would be felt by colleagues in the maternity team and across the entire organisation.

The chief midwifery officer for England Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent said she had been "deeply moved and saddened" to hear of the death.

"Lynsay was clearly a highly regarded midwife whose dedication to women, babies and their families will be remembered and cherished by her own family and her colleagues," she said.

"My deepest thoughts are with them, her children, grandchildren, parents and siblings."

Gill Walton, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives, added: "Lynsay went to work every day to support pregnant women and bring new life into the world. Her loss is not only a tragedy for her family, friends and colleagues, but also for all the women and children she touched during her career.

"It's important to remember that the NHS frontline doesn't only apply to those working in intensive care or direct covid support, but to midwives and others."

In the past few weeks, people across the country have taken to their balconies and gardens to applaud the continued efforts of NHS staff and other key workers during the ongoing crisis.

Efforts to organise the mass clapping, the last of which was carried out at 8pm on Thursday night, have been rallied by the hashtags #clapforcarers and #thankyouNHS on social media.

"The outpouring of support for NHS staff as we respond to this outbreak has been extraordinary," said Ms Dunkley-Bent.

"But the best way for people to do their bit for midwives, nurses, doctors and other NHS staff is to help protect us by following the Government's advice to stay at home and save lives."