THE temporary Covid mortuary at Poole Port, initially constructed as part of a 'worst-case' scenario, has been activated in response to Dorset's rising coronavirus deaths.

Public health officials say they've been forced to open the facility, which is one of two emergency mortuary sites in the county, because of the 'tremendous pressure' on NHS mortuary provision.

The decision, announced earlier, marks a grim milestone in the coronavirus crisis - coming on a day when another 45 deaths were reported in Dorset hospitals.

READ: 45 more people die in Dorset hospitals

Cllr Nicola Greene, resilience and public health member at BCP Council, said: "Sadly, this is one of the contingencies we are having to put in place.

"Our hospitals continue to be under a huge amount of pressure, with over 550 people in hospital with Covid-19 in Dorset in the last reported figures.

"The recent rise in cases in our community has meant that heartbreakingly, we have also seen an increase in deaths.

"We hoped that we wouldn’t need to use this extra capacity, but it is now required."

The news broke on the same day Dorset recorded it's biggest daily rise in Covid hospital deaths.  

The site at Poole is part of the county's excess deaths operational plan, a multi-agency strategy involving representatives from BCP Council, Dorset Council, H.M. Coroner, Dorset Police, University Hospitals Dorset Foundation Trust, Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and funeral directors working together to meet the potential bereavement needs of the county.

Poole Port is one of two sites classed as Mortuary Support Facilities (MSF) in Dorset.

The other site, The Old Radio Station in Dorchester has not been activated.

Cllr Spencer Flower, leader of Dorset Council, said: "We appreciate that this topic is a difficult one for everyone, but the devastating impacts of this disease are now being felt.

"Please remember to socially distance, wear a mask when required and wash hands regularly.

"Together we can help to beat this horrible disease and get back to normal as soon as possible, by everyone playing their part and sticking to the rules.

“We want to reassure residents that the activation of this MSF is being established as part of our duty to respond to the current situation and we will make sure that loved ones are treated with care and respect.”