SEVEN new coronavirus deaths have been recorded in Dorset hospitals.

Six occurred at the newly-formed University Hospitals Dorset Trust and one at Dorset County Hospital in the latest 24-hour period, the latest official figures show.

NHS England figures show 345 people had died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Wednesday, January 13.

That was an increase of six compared to Tuesday, January 12 when there were 339.

Meanwhile, a total of 41 people had died in hospital at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

That was an increase of one compared to Tuesday, when there were 40.

It means there have been nine deaths in the past week, up from three the previous week.

The victims were among 2,747 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.