FEWER than 30 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Dorset over the last 24 hours, latest figures confirm.

Data released by the government shows 26 people tested positive in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Tuesday.

The BCP Council area recorded 17 new cases, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 25,126.

In the seven days leading up to March 25, the latest rolling seven-day period, 76 cases were confirmed, giving a rolling infection rate of 19.2 per 100,000 people.

The Dorset Council area recorded nine new cases, taking the total to 11,730.

The rate stood at 28 per 100,000 after 106 cases were confirmed in a week.

Elsewhere, five cases were confirmed in the New Forest, taking the total to 6,097.

The rolling rate was 23.9 per 100,000 with 43 cases confirmed in the week leading up to March 25.