THE number of coronavirus cases in Dorset are falling, as data suggests positive tests in some areas are declining.
An interactive map, which uses Public Health England data, shows how many people have tested positive for the virus in each area of the county over the seven-day period up to Sunday, January 17.
Public Health England breaks down the numbers of coronavirus cases into neighbourhoods called 'Middle Super Output Areas' (MSOAs), which are smaller than council wards and based on population rather than geographical area.
The interactive map, which can be found through this link, allows users to type in their postcode and see how many cases were reported in their area and if it has increased or decreased from the week before. The darker the colour on the image, the more positive test results have been recorded.
The map highlights which areas of the county have three or more confirmed cases of the virus and colour co-coordinates the areas by how many cases they have.
In the seven days up to Sunday, January 17, Dorset reported 4,161 cases. The case rate compared to the UK average is near the national average, which has been steadily increasing in recent weeks.
Note: This article includes the most recent data available at the time of publication.
The following 10 areas in Dorset confirmed the least cases in the last week:
- Burton Bradstock & Chideock - Five cases
- Bridport South and West Bay - Six cases
- Overmoigne, Broadmayne & Winterbourne - Seven cases
- Bridport North - Nine cases
- Underhill & The Grove - 11 cases
- Beaminster, Maiden Newton & Halstock - 12 cases
- Milborne, Winterborne & Okeford Fitzpaine - 12 cases
- Yetminster, Bradford Abbas & Longburton - 12 cases
- Gillingham - 14 cases
- Gillingham Outer, Bourton & Motcombe - 14 cases
The following 10 areas in Dorset confirmed the most cases in the last week:
- Winton - 82 cases
- Rossmore - 88 cases
- Central Bournemouth - 91 cases
- Broadstone - 92 cases
- Oakdale East - 98 cases
- Poole Town - 99 cases
- Newtown - 108 cases
- East Howe & Ensbury Park - 109 cases
- Boscombe West - 111 cases
- East Cliff - 119 cases
The updated 'R rate' for the South West is now between 0.9 - 1.2, which is higher than the latest R number range for the UK of 0.8 - 1.0.
The current growth rate in the South West, including Dorset, is set at -2 to +3. The size of the growth rate indicates the speed of change.
A growth rate of +3 per cent indicates the epidemic is growing faster than a growth rate of +1 per cent.
Likewise, a growth rate of -2 per cent indicates the epidemic is shrinking faster than a growth rate of -1 per cent.
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