NEARLY 600 coronavirus cases were confirmed across Dorset in the last 24 hours, latest figures have confirmed.

Data released by the government shows 594 cases were confirmed in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Sunday.

The BCP Council area recorded 403 new cases, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 30,496.

In the Dorset Council area, 191 new cases were recorded, taking the total to 14,353.

In the seven days leading up to July 13, the latest rolling seven-day period, 1,374 cases were confirmed in the BCP area, giving a rolling infection rate of 347.6 per 100,000 people.

The rolling rate in the Dorset Council area was 176 per 100,000 with 666 cases confirmed in a week.

Elsewhere, 93 cases were confirmed in the New Forest, taking the total to 7,596.

The rolling rate was 266 after 479 cases were confirmed in the week before July 13.