FOURTEEN more people have tested positive for Covid-19 across Dorset.

There were five cases recorded in the Dorset Council area and nine in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole (BCP) Council area.

Public Health England figures show that 782 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Wednesday in Dorset, up from 777 the same time on Tuesday.

A total of 1,217 people tested positive in the BCP area, up from 1,208.

The rate of infection in Dorset now stands at 207 cases per 100,000 people and 308 in the BCP area, still far lower than the England average of 690.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 7,108 over the period, to 453,264.

Dorset's cases were among the 17,884 recorded across the South West, a figure which rose by 136 over the period.

Cumulative case counts include patients who are currently unwell, have recovered and those that have died.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.