Four new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at the newly-formed University Hospitals Dorset Trust in the latest 24-hour period, the latest official figures show.

NHS England figures show 178 people had died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Wednesday (November 18).

That was an increase of four compared to Tuesday, when there were 174.

Three deaths were reported at the new University Hospitals Dorset Trust, while one was reported at the former Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which merged with The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on October 1.

The victims were among 1,553 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.