MORE than 300 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Dorset over the last 24 hours, latest figures show.

Data released by the government reveals 309 cases were confirmed across the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Monday.

In the BCP Council area, 188 cases were recorded, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 9,314.

The rolling infection rate in BCP has increased to 218.8 per 100,000 people, with 865 cases confirmed in the seven days leading up to December 24, the latest rolling seven-day period.

In the Dorset Council area, 121 cases were confirmed, taking the total to 4,343 since the start of the pandemic.

The rolling rate stood at 120.2 per 100,000 of the population, with 455 cases confirmed in the latest seven-day period.

Yesterday, 191 cases were confirmed in Dorset.

Elsewhere, 47 cases were confirmed in the New Forest, meaning there has been 2,526 positive tests in the forest since the start of the pandemic.

The rolling rate was 146.6 with 264 cases confirmed in the lead up to December 24.