MORE than 600 people have tested positive for coronavirus across Dorset, as the total number of cases in the county passes the 28,000 mark.

Data from Public Health England show that in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Friday, January 22, 608 fresh cases have been recorded across both Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas. 

In the Dorset Council area, 187 people have tested positive for coronavirus. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 8,442 cases have been recorded in this area.

421 fresh cases have been recorded in the neighbouring BCP Council area, bringing the total number of cases in the area to 19,933.

The 608 new cases is an increase on the figures reported on Thursday, January 21, after 495 positive tests were confirmed in Dorset.

The total number of coronavirus cases across the county now stands at 28,375. 

In the seven days leading up to Sunday, January 17, the latest seven-day rolling period, the rolling rate in the Dorset Council area was 307.8 per 100,000, with 1,165 cases confirmed.

2,996 cases were recorded in BCP, giving a rolling infection rate of 757.8 per 100,000 people over the same time period.