MORE people in Dorset are now dying from the coronavirus in care homes than in hospitals, according to the latest figures.

Although most deaths from Covid-19 in the county have so far happened in hospitals, Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows more people died in care homes in the week ending April 17.

And this trend is expected to continue with Care Quality Commission (CQC) records showing the number who died in care homes last week is likely to increase for the fourth week in a row.

Data published by the ONS yesterday showed that, nationwide, 2,000 people died of the coronavirus in the week ending April 17.

Its figures lag behind the daily hospital updates because they are collected through analysis of death certificates. However, health secretary Matt Hancock announced the government would include care home deaths from today (Wednesday).

In the same week, 28 people in Dorset died in care homes, overtaking the number in hospitals (19) for the first time.

Thirty-one more deaths from coronavirus were reported to the CQC by care homes in the county last week.

Concerns have been raised that not enough support has been given to these companies to limit the spread of the virus.

In Dorset, local authorities have been helping supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to firms that have been unable to source their own.

Ian Hudspeth, the chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said the number of deaths in care homes had been “exacerbated” by shortages in the equipment.

“Social care is now the frontline in the fight against coronavirus and we need to do all we can to shield people in care homes and those receiving care in their own homes.

“It is urgent that the government’s online PPE ordering system is fully rolled out as soon as possible, so that councils and care providers can directly request that critical protective equipment gets to those who desperately need it.”

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Hancock said care home staff and residents in England would all be eligible to be tested, regardless of whether they have any symptoms of the virus.

Testing has also been rolled out to all over-65s and their households with symptoms and workers who need to leave home and their households.

Yesterday’s daily figure for hospital deaths from coronavirus showed five more people in the county had died, taking the total to 117.

Royal Bournemouth and Poole hospitals both saw a death from the disease while there were three more reported by the Dorset Healthcare trust. There was no change to the number recorded at Dorset County Hospital.

NHS England figures showed that the number of people who have died at hospitals increased by 552.

Those who died were aged between 31 and 99 with 38 of the total, aged between 36 and 99, having no known underlying health condition.