MORE coronavirus deaths have been recorded at hospitals in Herefordshire in the latest 24-hour period, the latest official figures show.

NHS England figures show 141 people had died in hospital at Wye Valley NHS Trust as of 5pm on Wednesday (January 20).

That was an increase of four compared to Wednesday, when there were 137. The newly announced deaths occurred on January 15, 16, 17 and 18.

Across England, a total of 789 new deaths were announced today, with 156 of those taking place in the midlands.

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.