FEWER than 50 people have died within 28 days of positive Covid test in Dorset in the last seven days, official figures have revealed.

Government statistics shows in the seven days leading up to Thursday, April 14, 15 people died within 28 days of a positive test in the BCP Council area.

This takes the total since the start of the pandemic to 1,069.

During the week ending Friday, April 1, four deaths were recorded with Covid-19 on the death certificate, taking the total to 1,136.

In the Dorset Council area, 27 people died within 28 days of a positive Covid test in the seven days leading up to April 14.

It means the total in the Dorset Council area now stands at 768.

Five people died in the week ending Friday, April 1 with Covid-19 recorded on the death certificate, taking the total to 757.

Ten people in the New Forest area died within 28 days of a positive Covid test in the seven days leading up to April 14, taking the total to 391.

Three people had Covid-19 on their death certificate in the week ending April 1, taking the total to 425.