MORE than 130 coronavirus patients have now died in Hampshire hospitals as the pandemic continues to tighten its grip on the county.

According to figures issued today the virus has claimed a total of 132 lives in Hampshire - an increase of 17 on the previous 24-hour period.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Southampton General Hospital, has now recorded 28 deaths - up two on the day before.

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Queen Alexandra Hospital Cosham, has now seen 70 deaths - a rise of seven.

A total of 34 deaths - up from 26 the previous day - were recorded by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, Andover War Memorial Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Alton Community Hospital.

The daily figures issued by the trust do not specify which hospital or hospitals the deaths occurred in.

It comes as a total of 876 confirmed cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Hampshire this morning. 

A further 147 confirmed cases of the virus have been recorded in Southampton.