Four new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at Southend Hospital Trust in the latest 24-hour period, the latest official figures show. Two further deaths were also revealed at Basildon Hospital.

NHS England figures show 276 people had died in hospital at Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Tuesday (December 1).

That was an increase of four compared to Monday, when there were 272.

It means there have been six deaths in the past week, down from eight the previous week.

The stats also show 427 people had died in hospital at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Tuesday (December 1).

That was an increase of two compared to Monday, when there were 425.

It means there have been 13 deaths in the past week, down from 20 the previous week.

The victims were among 4,117 deaths recorded across the East of England.

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 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.