MORE than 350 coronavirus cases were confirmed across Dorset in the last 24 hours, latest figures confirm.

Data released by the government shows 358 cases in Dorset in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Wednesday.

The BCP Council area recorded 257 new cases, taking its total since the start of the pandemic to 29,216.

In the Dorset Council area, 101 new cases were confirmed, taking the total to 13,720.

In the seven days leading up to July 9, the latest rolling seven-day period, 935 cases were recorded in BCP, giving a rolling infection rate of 236.5 per 100,000 people.

The Dorset Council area’s rate was 144.8 per 100,000 with 548 cases confirmed in a week.

Elsewhere, 79 new cases were confirmed in the New Forest, taking the total to 7,212.

The rolling infection rate was 188.2 per 100,000 after 339 cases were recorded in the week before July 9.