FEWER than 70 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Dorset over the last 24 hours, latest figures show.

Data released by the government shows 68 cases were confirmed in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Monday.

In the BCP Council area, 52 cases were recorded, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 24,447.

In the seven days leading up to February 17, the latest rolling seven-day period, 560 cases were confirmed in BCP, giving a rolling infection rate of 141.7 per 100,000 people.

The Dorset Council area recorded 16 new cases, taking the total to 11,070.

The rolling rate stood at 85.6 per 100,000 people, with 324 cases confirmed in a week.

Elsewhere, 23 cases were confirmed in the New Forest, taking its total to 5,831.

The rolling rate was 81.1 with 146 cases recorded in the week before February 17.