SEVEN new coronavirus hospital deaths have been recorded in Dorset in the latest 24 hour period.

The deaths all occurred at University Hospitals Dorset Trust.

NHS England figures show 654 people had died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Wednesday (February 24).

That was an increase of seven compared to Tuesday, when there were 647.

It means there have been 27 deaths in the past week, up from 24 the previous week.

The victims were among 4,212 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.