More than 130 people were being treated for coronavirus in Dorset hospitals this week, according to the latest figures.

NHS England revealed that a total of six Covid-19 patients were being treated at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester as of Tuesday, down from eight the previous week.

Dorset Healthcare University Trust had a total of 29 coronavirus patients as of Tuesday, down from 34 the previous week. 102 patients were being treated at the newly formed University Hospitals Dorset Trust, up from 80.

The latest figures also showed that there were four beds occupied by Covid-19 patients four weeks ago in Dorset County Hospital Trust as well as five beds occupied across Dorset Healthcare University Trust.

The number of beds at University Hospitals Dorset Trust occupied by people who tested positive for Covid-19 more than doubled in the last four weeks – 28 days ago, there were 35.

Across England there were 14,411 people in hospital with Covid as of November 17, with 1,228 of them in mechanical ventilation beds.

The numbers of Covid-19 patients being hospitalised and those on mechanical ventilators have more than doubled in the last four weeks across England.

The NHS England figures also show that seven new Covid patients were admitted to Dorset County Hospital in the week to November 15. This was up from six in the previous seven days.

Four new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in Dorset Healthcare University Trust over the same period, down from 19. Meanwhile, there were seven new Covid patients admitted to University Hospitals Dorset Trust, up from five.

78 new Covid patients were admitted to hospital in University Hospitals Dorset Trust in the week to November 15. This was up from 55 in the previous seven days.

The Government has implemented a second lockdown for England, which is due to be in place until December 2.

With trials for new vaccines showing promise, preparations are starting for mass vaccination centres to be set up across the country.