SIX further coronavirus deaths have been recorded in Dorset hospitals over the past 24 hour period, latest figures show.

It includes two deaths at Dorset County Hospital Trust - the first recorded coronavirus deaths there in four days.

NHS England figures show 32 people had died in hospital at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Monday (January 4).

That was an increase of two compared to the 30 that had been recorded at the same point on Sunday, and the first deaths in four days.

Meanwhile the first coronavirus death in three weeks has been recorded at Dorset Trust.

NHS England figures show 33 people had died in hospital at Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Monday (January 4).

That was one more than had been recorded at the same point on Sunday, and the first death in 21 days.

Three new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at the newly-formed University Hospitals Dorset Trust in the latest 24-hour period, the latest official figures show.

NHS England figures show 287 people had died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Monday (January 4).

That was an increase of three compared to Sunday, when there were 284.

The new University Hospitals Dorset Trust was formed by a merger of the former Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on October 1.

The victims were among 2,434 deaths recorded across the South West.

Daily death counts are revised each day, with each case backdated to the actual date of death.

This means some of the deaths that were first recorded in the latest period may actually have taken place days earlier.

NHS England guidance states: "Confirmation of Covid-19 diagnosis, death notification and reporting in central figures can take up to several days and the hospitals providing the data are under significant operational pressure."

Only deaths that occur in hospitals where the patient has tested positive for Covid-19 are recorded, with deaths in the community excluded, such as those in care homes.