BRIDPORT Community Hospital is currently treating a number of patients with coronavirus.

The hospital's Colmer's Ward is being used to treat people with Covid-19, Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed.

The trust says staff are working hard to provide the best possible care to patients, and that people can help the fight against the virus by following the Government's advice - which is to stay at home.

A spokesman for the trust said: “ We are proud that our staff there are working hard to provide the best possible care to these patients.

“To help protect all our services during this outbreak, we would urge people to follow the Government’s advice – stay home and call upon NHS services only if absolutely necessary.”

It comes as West Dorset MP Chris Loder says Bridport Community Hospital is 'bearing the brunt' of the coronavirus pandemic, with Dorset County Hospital 'not far behind.'

The community has been rallying round Bridport Community Hospital in support of its hard-working staff.

Residents and local businesses have been generously donating supplies such as tea, cakes, biscuits, healthy snacks and juice to keep staff going as they work around-the-clock to treat patients suffering with the virus.

If you would like to donate, you can discuss how donations can reach the hospital - to avoid encouraging people to make unnecessary journeys to the hospital -  by emailing Amy Gibbs at amyrosegibbs@hotmail.com

And Bridport friends Matthew Renshaw and Scott Morris created a 'Plea for PPE' campaign which resulted in donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the hospital. Dorset Healthcare, which runs the hospital, said it was 'overwhelmed' by the 'show of support for our staff from the community in Dorset' and said it was grateful for donations made.

So far, a total of 46 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in Dorset.

Yesterday, two further deaths were reported at DCH, bringing the total number to 11.

Four people have died under Dorset Healthcare, which runs community hospitals across the county.

A spokesman for the trust said it couldn’t specify which hospital/s the deaths have occurred due to patient confidentiality.

The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has reported a total of 16 deaths while Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has recorded 15 deaths