MORE than 750 cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Dorset over the last 24 hours, latest figures show.

Data released by the government shows 756 cases were confirmed in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Wednesday.

In the BCP Council area, 547 cases were recorded, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 12,527.

The rolling rate of infections in BCP stood at 549.7 per 100,000, with 2,173 cases confirmed in the seven days leading up to January 1, the latest seven-day rolling period.

The Dorset Council area recorded 209 cases, taking the total to 5,856.

In the latest seven-day period, 1,069 cases were confirmed, giving a rolling rate of 282.4 per 100,000 of the population.

Yesterday, 683 cases were confirmed across Dorset.

Elsewhere, 121 cases were confirmed in the New Forest, meaning 3,390 people have tested positive there since the start of the pandemic.

The rolling rate stood at 324.8, with 585 cases confirmed in the week before January 1.