MORE than 850 people have died in Dorset with coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, Public Health Dorset has said.

As of Tuesday, January 26, 860 people had died within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test across the county.

According to data used by Public Health Dorset, 539 people have died in the BCP Council area.

This is a rate of 136.3 per 100,000 people, which is below the average rate for England of 156.4 but above the average rate for the south west of 87.4.

In the Dorset Council area, 321 people have died within 28 days of a positive test, a rate of 84.8 per 100,000.

Public Health Dorset said the rates were in the lower half of local authorities across the UK.

Jane Horne, consultant in public health at Public Health Dorset, said: “Due to the high case rates we are seeing in our communities, hospitalisations remain high and we are unfortunately seeing outbreaks in care homes.

“As a result of both issues, we have sadly seen deaths related to Covid increase across Dorset in recent weeks.

“Our local services are under serious pressure so we need everyone to keep following the rules. The single most important thing everyone can do to help bring case rates down is to stay at home wherever possible.”