THE temporary Covid mortuary at Poole Port, initially constructed as part of a 'worst-case' scenario, has been activated in response to Dorset's rising coronavirus deaths. Public health officials say they've been forced to open the facility, which is one of two emergency mortuary sites in the county, because of the 'tremendous pressure' on NHS mortuary provision. The decision, announced earlier, marks a grim milestone in the coronavirus crisis - coming on a day when another 45 deaths were reported in Dorset hospitals. Cllr Nicola Greene, resilience and public health member at BCP Council, said: "Sadly, this is one of the contingencies we are having to put in place.