A DORSET hospital trust has recorded six Covid patient deaths within the last 11 days - amid not recording any for more than two months.

Figures released by the NHS reported that since Saturday July 17, six patients have died from coronavirus while under the care of University Hospitals Dorset (UHD).

The Covid-19 deaths occurred on July 26, July 25, July 24, July 22, while two patients died on July 17.

Figures now show that 743 people have died of coronavirus in UHD since the start of the pandemic.

Prior to these deaths, the most recent Covid hospital death in the county was also recorded at UHD on May 3.

Dorset County Hospital (DCH) in Dorchester has had 111 Covid-19 deaths and Dorset HealthCare, the trust responsible for community hospitals and mental health care, has recorded 73 Covid-19 deaths.

The figures show the last recorded Covid-19 related death at DCH was on March 31.

The last recorded Covid-19 deaths at Dorset Healthcare Universities Trust was March 14.

UHD incorporates the former Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust, as well as Poole Hospital.