The first coronavirus deaths in six days have been recorded at Southend Hospital Trust, the latest figures show.

NHS England figures show 249 people had died in hospital at Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Tuesday (July 21).

That was an increase of two compared to the 247 that had been recorded at the same point on Monday, and the first death in six days.

The victims were among 3,404 deaths recorded across the East of England.

Of 188 trusts in England,Southend Hospital trust has the 40th-highest death toll.

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 last 24 hours 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.