OVER 60 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Dorset over the last 24 hours, latest figures show.

Data released by the government reveals that 68 cases were recorded in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Wednesday, February 24.

34 of these cases were recorded in the BCP Council area, taking the conurbation’s total since the start of the pandemic to 24,532.

In the seven days leading up to February 19, the latest rolling seven-day period, 499 cases were confirmed in BCP, giving a rolling infection rate of 126.2 per 100,000 people.

The Dorset Council area also recorded 34 new cases, taking its total to 11,136.

The rolling rate stood at 81.6 per 100,000 people with 309 cases confirmed in seven days.

Elsewhere, 11 cases were recorded in the New Forest, taking the total to 5,855.

The rolling rate stood at 68.3 with 123 cases recorded in the week before February 19.