Covid deaths at hospitals in mid and south Essex have dropped by more than 20 per cent, the latest weekly figures show.

NHS England data shows 2,311 people had died in hospital at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Tuesday (March 9).

That was an increase of four compared to Monday, when there were 2,307.

It means there have been 25 deaths in the past week, down from 32 the previous week.

The victims were among 10,235 deaths recorded across the East of England.

Daily death counts are revised each day, with each case backdated to the actual date of death.

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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.