FOUR new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at Dorset hospitals over the latest 24-hour period, official figures show.

The figures include one new coronavirus death at Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.

NHS England figures show 67 people had died in hospital at Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Wednesday (February 10).

That was an increase of one compared to Tuesday, when there were 66.

It means there have been five deaths at that Trust in the past week, down from 12 the previous week.

Meanwhile three new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at the newly-formed University Hospitals Dorset Trust in the same time period.

NHS England figures show 603 people had died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Wednesday (February 10).

That was an increase of three compared to Tuesday, when there were 600.

It means there have been 43 deaths in the past week, down from 63 the previous week.

The victims were among 3,917 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.