Coronavirus cases and hospitalisations continue to drop across Dorset.

Public health Dorset reports there are 349 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Dorset Council area, compared to 555 on February 12, and 629 confirmed cases in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area, compared to 989 on February 12.

The seven-day case rate per 100,000 of the population in the Dorset Council area is 92.2, compared to 146.6 on February 12, and 159.1 in the BCP Council area, compared to 250.2 on February 12.

There are currently 194 Covid-19 patients in hospital beds in Dorset, compared to 269 on February 12.

A spokesman for Public Health Dorset said: "Our local case rates continue to fall. The case rate for Dorset Council - 92.2 per 100,000 - is now slightly lower than the South West region average - 93.7. The case rate for BCP Council - 159.1 - is still above the England average - 137.8 - although the margin is smaller than in previous weeks.

"Case rates must continue to fall steadily to allow restrictions to be eased safely.

"The number of Covid-19 patients in hospital beds is much lower than at the peak in January, but is still higher than anything we experienced during 2020.

"The situation has improved but health and care services remain under pressure, so it's really important that we all continue to play our part in stopping Covid-19 spreading.

"We would like to thank residents who have followed the rules to help bring cases down and improve our local situation.

"We know that Covid-19 spreads very easily so we cannot become complacent as this could quickly lead to a rise in cases again. Don't take risks by bending the rules, and please self-isolate and book a test if you have any symptoms of Covid-19."

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