MORE than 450 coronavirus cases were recorded in Dorset over the last 24 hours, data from the government has revealed.

That stats show 458 cases were confirmed across the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Thursday.

In the BCP Council area, 363 cases were recorded, meaning a total of 12,890 people have tested positive in the conurbation since the start of the pandemic.

The rolling infection rate in BCP stood at 607.1 cases per 100,000 people, with 2,400 cases in the seven days leading up to January 2, the latest rolling seven-day period available.

In the Dorset Council area, 95 cases were recorded, taking the total to 5,951 since the start of the pandemic.

The rolling rate was 309.4 per 100,000 after 1,171 cases were confirmed in the latest seven-day period.

Yesterday, 756 cases were confirmed across Dorset.

Elsewhere, 74 cases were recorded in the New Forest, taking the total to 3,464.

The rolling rate was 352.1 per 100,000 people, with 634 cases recorded in the seven days before January 2.