A second case of coronavirus has been confirmed in the Dorset Council area, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 7.

It comes as it it was confirmed a patient who has tested positive for coronavirus is now being treated in isolation at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) in Dorchester.

As of Saturday, there had been five cases in Dorset - four in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area and one in the wider Dorset Council area, which was announced on Friday.

Public Health England confirmed on Sunday a further patient in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area had tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total to six.

It has been revealed tonight a further patient in the Dorset Council area has tested positive.

A patient, believed to be one of the seven Dorset cases, is being treated at DCH.

A spokesman for the NHS and Public Health England said: "There is no risk to other patients, visitors and staff and our services are running as normal.

"The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases.

"DCH have put measures in place to ensure the safety of patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services continue to be available to the public."

Asked about pressures on the hospital and whether any non-urgent operations would have to be cancelled, the spokesman said: “As the Chief Medical Officer has warned, NHS services will come under pressure as the outbreak spreads more widely and so it is only right we are preparing a number of practical solutions to respond.

“Last week, guidance was sent out across the NHS to help local services to prepare so patients can get the care they need which remains the priority for hardworking staff and advice will continue to be updated.”