THREE more people have died with coronavirus in Dorset hospitals, latest figures have shown - including the first death at Dorset County Hospital Trust in over two weeks.

Data released by NHS England shows two deaths with the virus recorded at University Hospitals Dorset, on December 29 and December 28, and one at the Dorset County Hospital on December 29.

NHS England figures show 28 people had died in hospital at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Tuesday (December 29).

That was one more than had been recorded at the same point on Monday, and the first death in 20 days.

It means since the start of the pandemic, 273 people have died at UHD, 28 have at the Dorset County Hospital and 32 have at the Dorset Healthcare University Trust.

The victims were among 2,295 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 f Meanwhile, wo new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at the newly-formed University Hospitals Dorset Trust.

NHS England figures show 273 people had died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Tuesday (December 29).

That was an increase of two compared to Monday, when there were 271.

The deaths were reported at the new University Hospitals Dorset Trust, which 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.or Covid-19 are recorded, with deaths in the community excluded, such as those in care homes.