THE number of people admitted to hospital with coronavirus in Dorset is now at the highest level since March 2021. 

As a result of a rise in cases during October, the number of people admitted to hospital in the county is now at 69 - the highest we've seen in eight months. 

In Bournemouth and Poole, 63 people were admitted to University Hospitals Dorset Trust between October 25 and October 31.

A further 15 people were also admitted to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester in the same week.

Meanwhile, figures show no patients were admitted to the Dorset Healthcare Trust (DHT) during the same one-week period.

As of November 2, there were 69 people occupying a hospital bed with the virus in University Hospitals Dorset.

There were 16 patients at Dorset County Hospital occupying a bed and one person at DHT.

Across England, 7,510 people were occupying a hospital bed with coronavirus and 711 in the south west.

Of people needing mechanical ventilation, six patients at the University Hospitals Dorset Trust required a ventilator, fourpeople required a ventilator at Dorset County Hospital and no patients at the DHT needed mechanical ventilation.

Across England, 859 patients needed a ventilator and 74 people in the south west with coronavirus required a ventilator.

As part of its weekly update, Public Health Dorset said: " After a steep rise in cases during October, infection levels across the county remain high. Following this rise, the number of people in Dorset hospitals with COVID-19 has increased to 69 - this is the highest number since March 2021.

"The number of deaths related to COVID-19 has remained relatively stable over the past few weeks."