A temporary morgue will be set up in Gloucestershire in preparation for further deaths in the county during the coronavirus outbreak.

The resting place will be used to store dead bodies as the number of Covid-19 victims is expected to rise.

The exact location of the morgue is not being made public, although health chiefs have confirmed it is within Tewkesbury Borough.

As of yesterday afternoon, April 8, there were a total of 52 confirmed deaths of patients who had tested positive for the virus, and the number of confirmed cases rose to 402.

The local NHS said last week it expects admissions to Gloucestershire’s two main hospitals relating to the coronavirus will peak later this month.

The news comes as part of work carried out by the Gloucestershire Local Resilience Forum – the multi-agency partnership which co-ordinates emergency planning locally.

Sarah Scott, chair of Gloucestershire’s strategic coordinating group on the local resilience forum, said: “With our partners we have plans in place to ensure we can effectively support the county through this ongoing pandemic, this includes having a temporary resting place facilities organised, which will be located in the Tewkesbury area.

“To respect the sensitivity surrounding these facilities we will not be providing more specific details regarding the location but I can assure everyone that its location has been carefully thought through to ensure the dignity, respect, safety and welfare of all concerned.

“I would ask everyone to respect the need for privacy and time to grieve for all those that will be affected directly and indirectly as a result of Covid-19.”