The first coronavirus death in over three weeks has been recorded at Dorset County Hospital Trust, the latest figures show.

It was among eight deaths reported in hospitals across Dorset in the past 24 hours.

NHS England figures show 26 people had died in hospital at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Tuesday.

That was an increase of one compared to the 25 that had been recorded at the same point on Monday, and the first death in 25 days.

Meanwhile, five new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at the newly-formed University Hospitals Dorset Trust.

A total 215 people had died in hospital at the trust as of 5pm on Tuesday.

That was an increase of five compared to Monday, when there were 210.

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.

And the first coronavirus deaths in five days have been recorded at Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.

A total of 28 people had died as of 5pm on Tuesday.

That was an increase of two compared to the 26 that had been recorded at the same point on Monday.

The victims were among 1,812 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.