THE number of recorded coronavirus cases in Dorset increased by almost 270 over the last 24 hour period.

A total of 269 new cases were confirmed across the county, official figures show.

The total includes 106 new cases in the Dorset Council area.

Public Health England figures show that 10,063 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Thursday (February 4) in Dorset - up from 9,957 the same time on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the number of recorded coronavirus cases in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole increased by 163 over the last 24 hours.

Public Health England figures show that 22,781 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 by 9am on Thursday (February 4) in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, up from 22,618 the same time on Wednesday.

The health body is now including Pillar 2 tests – those carried out by commercial partners – alongside Pillar 1 tests, which are analysed in NHS or PHE laboratories and which made up the first stage of the Government's mass testing programme.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 20,634 over the period, to 3,892,459.

Cumulative case counts include patients who are currently unwell, have recovered and those that have died.