MORE than 600 people across Dorset have tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, as daily cases continue to rise in the county.

Data released by the Government show there have been 606 fresh Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Saturday, January 2.

In the Dorset Council area, there are 187 new cases, with an infection rate of 159.3.

These new cases mean that the total number of cases in Dorset Council area has now reached the 5,000 mark, with 5,035 positive tests of coronavirus recorded in the area.

A further 419 cases have been recorded in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole which now has an infection rate of 312.9 cases per 100,000 population. There have been 10,813 cases in the area since the start of the pandemic.

524 positive tests of coronavirus were reported in Dorset on Friday, January 1.

Covid-19 cases have continued to surge in recent days in Dorset, as Dorset Council was placed in Tier 3 restrictions while BCP Council area was placed at Tier 4 level on Thursday, December 31.