FEWER than 50 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed across Dorset over the last 24 hours, according to the latest statistics. 

Data released by the Government show 42 cases were recorded in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 9am on Saturday, February 27.

14 people across the Dorset Council area tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 11,222 cases in this area.

The rolling rate stood at 77.7 per 100,000 after 294 cases were recorded in the lead up to February 22.

The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area has recorded 28 new cases over the same time period, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 24,612.

In the seven days leading up to February 22, the latest seven-day rolling period, 399 cases were confirmed in BCP, giving a rolling infection rate of 100.9 per 100,000.

The latest figures are lower than the number of confirmed cases on Friday, February 26, when 86 positive tests were reported. It should be noted, however, there is a lag in reporting of coronavirus cases during the weekend. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 35,834 confirmed cases of coronavirus across Dorset.