NEARLY 500 coronavirus cases were recorded in Dorset over the last 24 hours, latest figures show.

Data released by the government shows 495 cases were confirmed in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Thursday.

The BCP Council area recorded 356 cases, taking the conurbation’s total since the start of the pandemic to 19,512.

In the seven days leading up to January 16, the latest seven-day rolling period, 3,138 cases were confirmed in BCP, giving an infection rate of 793.8 per 100,000 people.

The Dorset Council area recorded 139 new cases, taking the total to 8,442.

The rolling rate was 310.4 per 100,000, after 1,175 cases were confirmed in the latest seven-day period.

Elsewhere, 78 cases were confirmed in the New Forest, meaning 4,772 people have tested positive there in total.

The rate was 331 per 100,000, after 596 cases were confirmed in a week.