The temporary mortuary on the site of Salisbury District Hospital is now being used, it has been confirmed, as the number of Covid-19 deaths continues to rise.

Wiltshire Council, which manages the facility alongside a similar mortuary on the site of Swindon's Great Western Hospital, has confirmed that Salisbury's is now operational.

However, it is not near capacity.

The storage facility has been in place since March last year, and was first used in December. It can store up to 260 bodies.

Today (January 19), the hospital announced the death of two further patients who had tested positive for Covid-19.

This brings the total number of deaths since the pandemic began to 124.

A spokesperson from Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust said: "Sadly, we can confirm that another two patients who had been cared for at Salisbury District Hospital and had tested positive for COVID-19 have died.

"One woman in her 80s died on 18th January and a man in his 80s died on 19th January.

"Both patients had underlying health conditions.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with the patients’ families and loved ones at this very difficult and distressing time.

"The total number of patients that have died at Salisbury District Hospital after receiving a COVID-19 positive test result is now 124."

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