EIGHT more coronavirus deaths have been recorded in Dorset hospitals.

Three deaths have been recorded at Dorset County Hospital Trust and five at the newly-formed University Hospitals Dorset Trust in the latest 24-hour period, the latest official figures show.

NHS England figures show 44 people had died in hospital at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Thursday.

That was an increase of three compared to Wednesday, when there were 41.

It means there have been 12 deaths in the past week, up from two the previous week.

A total 350 people had died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust.

That was an increase of five compared to Wednesday, when there were 345.

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.

The victims were among 2,787 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 for Covid-19 are recorded, with deaths in the community excluded, such as those in care homes.