The first death from coronavirus has been reported at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

A 72-year-old woman who had tested positive for Covid-19 and was being cared for at DCH has died, the hospital has confirmed.

Her family have been informed about the cause of death and are following national guidance.

A Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "Sadly, we can confirm that a woman who had been cared for at Dorset County Hospital and died at the hospital on March, 21, 2020 had tested positive for COVID-19.

"The patient was 72 and had underlying health conditions.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.

"Out of respect for their privacy we will not be commenting further."

It comes as four new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Dorset.

Three more people have tested positive in the Dorset Council area taking the total there to 11 and one more positive test was recorded in the Bournemouth-Christchurch-Poole Council area taking the total to 12.

Overall there have been 23 positive tests in the county.

The number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus has risen by 48 to 281.

At 9am on Sunday, 78,340 people had been tested in the UK.

The number of infections rose by 635 in 24 hours to 5,683, the Department of Health said.