MORE than 30 more deaths from Covid-19 have been reported at Southend and Basildon Hospitals.

NHS England figures show 631 people had died in hospital at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as of 5pm on Sunday.

That was an increase of 17 compared to Friday, when there were 614.

It means there have been 58 deaths in the past week, up from 54 the previous week.

In Southend Hospital, there was also an increase of 17, from 463 to 480.

It means there have been 77 deaths in the past week, up from 38 the previous week.

The total amount of deaths recorded at both hospitals over the weekend stands at 34.

The victims were among 5,926 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.