EIGHT new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at hospitals in Dorset over the latest 24 hour period.

NHS England figures show that two deaths occurred at Dorset County Hospital Trust, bringing the total number of deaths at DCH to 109 as of 5pm on Monday (March 8).

That was an increase of two compared to Sunday, when there were 107.

It means there have been three deaths at DCH in the past week, the same number as the previous week.

Meanwhile a further six new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at University Hospitals Dorset Trust in the same time period.

NHS England figures show a total of 719 people have died in hospital at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Monday (March 8).

That was an increase of six compared to Sunday, when there were 713.

It means there have been 59 deaths at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust in the past week, up from 14 the previous week.

The victims were among 4,394 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.