Patients have died from coronavirus after catching the killer bug at a £842 million superhospital.

The fatalities were believed to be people initially being treated for liver disease at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde declined to confirm how many patients died, citing confidentiality reasons.

The hepatology ward re-opened on Tuesday night following a 14-day closure.

It is understood about 13 patients in total tested positive for the Covid-19 infection, with 11 staff absent as well following positive tests.

The health board insisted it is not dealing with any current outbreaks and that no wards in the hospital are closed to new admissions due to Covid.

In a statement, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde(NHS GGC) said it was unable to confirm the number of patients who had died as a result of Covid-19 infections caught at the Govan hospital due to confidentiality.

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It said: "Unfortunately there have been a number of deaths across the country as a result of the pandemic, including within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

"We are unable to comment further on this element of your enquiry due to patient confidentiality."

Asked about recent positive cases in a haematology ward, NHS GGC again said it was unable to comment in detail due to patient confidentiality .

In a statement, the health board said: "There are 570 cases in hospitals across Scotland, including 257 cases within Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which is the largest health board.

"This includes QEUH, however, there is no 'outbreak' at QEUH and there are no wards closed at the QEUH due to Covid-19 .

"We are unable to confirm further details of case numbers as doing so would breach patient confidentiality."

Dr Linda De Caestecker, NHS GGC's director of public health, said: "Unfortunately, cases are rising within Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as they are across the UK .

"While we are in a stronger position now than in March due to an increased understanding of the virus, as overall numbers increase, so too does the number of hospital admissions with Covid-19 and, sadly, so do the numbers of deaths.

"It is a true testament to our hardworking and professional staff that to this point we have been able to continue delivering high quality care to patients despite the pandemic.

Read more: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital ward reopens after coronavirus outbreak

"However, it's critical the public follows the guidelines laid out by the Scottish Government to support our frontline workers in being able to continue delivering this level of care and to manage the number of Covid-19 cases in hospital.

"This will give our staff the capacity to continue treating patients, and in the long-run, to save more lives.

"So we would ask the public to remember the FACTS: wear a face covering, avoid crowded places, clean your hands frequently, maintain a two-metre distance, self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms."