FEWER THAN 300 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed across Dorset over the last 24 hours as the county's tally hits 33,000 cases.

Data released by the Government show 292 cases were recorded in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Friday, February 5.

99 people across the Dorset Council area tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 10,162 cases in this area.

The rolling rate stood at 207.1 per 100,000 after 784 cases were recorded in the lead up to January 31.

The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area has recorded 193 new cases over the same time period, taking the total since the start of the pandemic to 22,974.

In the seven days leading up to January 31, the latest seven-day rolling period, 1,416 cases were confirmed in BCP, giving a rolling infection rate of 358.2 per 100,000.

The latest figures are a slight increase in the number of confirmed cases on Thursday, February 4, when 269 positive tests were reported. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 33,136 confirmed cases of coronavirus across Dorset. 

It comes as 1,000 electric candles were lit and placed on the steps of County Hall in Dorchester to honour those who have died with Covid, as the county passed the sad milestone of 1,000 Covid-19-related deaths.