THE number of people admitted to hospital with coronavirus in Dorset is continuing to rise as we head into winter.

In Bournemouth and Poole, 69 people were admitted to University Hospitals Dorset Trust between November 8 and November 14.

A further 11 people were also admitted to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester in the same week.

Meanwhile, figures show two patients were admitted to the Dorset Healthcare Trust (DHT) during the same one-week period.

As of November 16, there were 64 people occupying a hospital bed with the virus in University Hospitals Dorset.

There were nine patients at Dorset County Hospital occupying a bed and two people at DHT.

Across England, 6,623 people were occupying a hospital bed with coronavirus and 540 in the south west.

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

Across England, 796 patients needed a ventilator and 63 people in the south west with coronavirus required a ventilator.

As part of its weekly update, Public Health Dorset said: "After a short period of declining case rates, we've seen cases rise again over the past week across Dorset. 

“Both the Dorset Council and BCP Council areas remain significantly above the average case rate for England, as well as above the regional average in the South West. Cases remain highest amongst school-aged children, but we are also seeing high rates in middle and older age groups. 

“The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 across Dorset has also continued to rise.  

As we move into the colder months and the Christmas period, we must remember that the risks from COVID-19 have not gone away. If you're going to an event or gathering with lots of people or in an enclosed space, take a lateral flow test before you go to reduce the risk of passing COVID-19 on to other people. When meeting indoors, open windows regularly to let fresh air in and prevent airborne spread of the virus.”