FEWER than 50 coronavirus cases were confirmed across Dorset over the last 24 hours, latest figures show.

Data released by the government shows 49 cases were recorded in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Saturday, February 27.

The BCP Council area recorded 28 cases, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 24,612.

In the week preceding February 28, the latest rolling seven-day period, 399 cases were confirmed, giving a rolling infection rate of 100.9 per 100,000 people.

The Dorset Council area recorded 14 new cases, taking the total to 11,222.

The rolling rate stood at 77.7 per 100,000 with 294 cases confirmed in a week.

Elsewhere in the New Forest, seven cases were confirmed, meaning 5,888 people have tested positive in the area overall.

The rolling rate for the seven days leading up to February 27 was 60 per 100,000 after 108 cases were confirmed.