Case rates, hospitalisations and Covid-related deaths are falling across Dorset.

Public Health Dorset reports there are 194 confirmed cases in the last seven days in the Dorset Council area, compared with 294 on February 26, and 249 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area, compared to 451 on February 26.

The seven-day case rate per 100,000 of the population in the Dorset Council area is 51.3, compared to 77.7 on February 26 and 63 in the BCP Council area, compared to 114.1 on February 26.

There are currently 68 Covid-19 patients in hospital beds in Dorset, compared to 147 on February 26.

A spokesman for Public Health Dorset said: "We have continued to see a fall in local Covid case rates, hospitalisations and deaths over the past week.

"The situation in Dorset has improved thanks to the hard work of local people following the rules - every action makes a difference. We have seen over the past few months how quickly the situation can change so we must carry on working together to drive transmission down even further. We are still in a national lockdown and everyone must continue to follow the rules and stay at home except for essential reasons.

"As more pupils return to school from March 8, the Government has announced details about rapid lateral flow testing programmes for pupils, staff and families. We continue to work very closely with schools and local authority partners to manage any confirmed cases."