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

The fatalities include two new coronavirus deaths at Dorset County Hospital Trust (DCH.)

NHS England figures show 105 people had died in hospital at DCH as of 5pm on Thursday (February 25).

That was an increase of two compared to Wednesday, when there were 103.

Meanwhile, five new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at University Hospitals Dorset Trust in the same time period.

NHS England figures show 659 people had died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Thursday (February 25).

That was an increase of five compared to Wednesday, when there were 654.

It means there have been 28 deaths in the past week, up from 24 the previous week.

The victims were among 4,233 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.