A further six people are now confirmed to have died in Cornwall from COVID-19.

It follows last night's announcement of three deaths.

It brings the total number of deaths from coronavirus in the county so far to 16, a hospital spokesperson confirmed.

However, today's announcement refers to deaths over the last five days, rather than a spike in the last 24 hours.

A spokesperson for the Royal Cornwall Hospital said: "We are sad to confirm that six people who had been cared for at Royal Cornwall Hospital, and had tested positive for COVID-19, have died over the last five days.

“They were aged between 78 and 97 years.

“This is a deeply upsetting and difficult time for the families concerned and out of respect for their privacy we will not be commenting further.

“Our staff have been working hard to prepare for the impact of COVID-19 here in Cornwall and are pulling together to do their very best for our patients – our families, our friends, our colleagues.”