ELEVEN new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Dorset, according to the latest update from Public Health England.

Latest figures released on the government website show eight people tested positive in the BCP Council area in the 24-hours up to 4pm on Thursday, September 10.

Since the start of the pandemic, 983 people have tested positive for the virus across the conurbation.

The rate per 100,000 of the population stands at 248.7.

In the Dorset Council area, three new cases have been confirmed in the same period bringing the total number of cases to 707. The rate is 186.8.

Elsewhere, the New Forest has a further six cases meaning the total number of cases has risen to 545. The rate in the district is 302.6.

NHS officials said another eight people who tested positive for coronavirus had died in hospital in England.

The total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals is 29,639, Patients were aged between 39 and 93 years old and all but one patient had known underlying health conditions.

None of the deaths occurred in hospitals in the south west.