MORE than 50 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed across Dorset over the last 24 hours, according to the latest statistics.

Data released by the Government show 57 cases were recorded in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 9am on Sunday, February 28.

21 people across the Dorset Council area tested positive for coronavirus. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 11,243 cases in this area.

In the seven days leading up to February 23, the latest seven-day rolling period, 277 cases were confirmed in the Dorset Council area, giving a rolling rate of 73.2 per 100,000 people.

The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area has recorded 36 new cases over the same time period, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 24,648.

In the seven days leading up to February 23, 352 cases were confirmed in BCP, giving a rolling infection rate of 89 per 100,000.

The latest figures are higher than the number of confirmed cases on Saturday, February 27, when 42 positive tests were reported. It should be noted, however, there is a lag in reporting of coronavirus cases during the weekend.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 35,891 confirmed cases of coronavirus across Dorset.