254 people in hospital in Dorset with Covid-19
Confirmed cases in Dorset remain 'very high'
Confirmed cases of Covid-19 remain very high across Dorset, with rates significantly higher than the average for England.
Public Health Dorset say the number of people being treated in Dorset hospitals has also risen to 254 , up from 182 last week.
However, due to high prevalence in the community, it is likely that some of these people will be in hospital primarily for other reasons.
Free universal testing has now ended, at a time when Dorset's Director of Public Health, Sam Crowe says the county is in the middle of a second peak of the Omicron variant BA2.
In a statement on their website, Public Health Dorset said:
"Infection rates are at very high levels in our communities, so you should keep taking steps to reduce the spread of the virus. By taking public health precautions, you can help to protect those who are most vulnerable and reduce pressure on essential services."