LATEST figures show 22 people have died with coronavirus in Dorset hospitals over the last 24 hour period - a major increase and a record for the county since the pandemic began.

Previously, yesterday's death toll for Dorset hospitals was among the highest so far in the county - when eight deaths were recorded.

Today's figures include two new coronavirus deaths recorded at Dorset County Hospital Trust in the latest 24-hour period.

NHS England recorded that 40 people had died there as of 5pm on Tuesday (January 12).

That was an increase of two compared to Monday, when there were 38.

It means there have been eight deaths at DCH in the past week, up from four the previous week.

Meanwhile a further two new coronavirus deaths were recorded at Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust in the same time period.

Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust provides community and mental health services across the county, including for the elderly.

NHS England figures show 38 people had died across Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Tuesday (January 12).

That was an increase of two compared to Monday, when there were 36. It means there have been five deaths in the past week, up from one the previous week.

However the greatest increase comes from the newly-formed University Hospitals Dorset Trust, serving Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas.

A further 18 new coronavirus deaths have been recorded there.

NHS England figures show 339 people had died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Tuesday (January 12).

That was an increase of 18 compared to Monday, when there were 321.

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.