The Dorset area which hasn't had a coronavirus hotspot since beginning of pandemic

Public Health England breaks down the numbers of Covid-19 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 online, 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.

Bridport South and West Bay, which has a mixture of rural and developed areas, covers the southern part of Bridport below East Road roundabout, as well as Bothenhamton and the coastal West Bay.

How Dorset and surrounding areas look according to data up to Friday, November 13. Picture: Public Health England

According to data up to Friday, November 13, Public Health England has not reported a coronavirus cluster within this area since the pandemic began.

Government and Public Health England define a coronavirus cluster as an area where there are more than two coronavirus cases in a population size of 7,500 at any one time.

Some areas are coloured white and described as "suppressed", meaning MSOA level rates are suppressed and there have been zero to two cases in a seven-day period. This also protects the privacy of individuals and prevent disclosure.

Why the area has not seen a coronavirus cluster during the pandemic could be down to a number of reasons.

One reason is its small population - the 2011 census reported Bridport and West Bay has a population of more than 13,000, but not all of this would be included within the Bridport South and West Bay area. Bothenhampton meanwhile has a population of 2,131.

According to data up to Friday, November 13, Public Health England has not reported a coronavirus cluster within Bridport South and West Bay since the pandemic began.

Another major factor could be down to it being a predominantly rural area. The majority of the homes and build-up areas are within Bridport while there are far less properties and settlements in West Bay and Bothenhampton.

The neighbouring Burton Bradstock and Chideock, which covers rural areas of Burton Bradstock, Chideock, Bradpole, Symondsbury and Netherbury, has seen a low number of active cases during the pandemic, while Bridport North has also reported a small number of positive tests.

Latest available data reports Burton Bradstock and Chideock has four active cases while Bridport North has reported three cases within the seven days up until Friday, November 13.

West Bay captured by drone Picture: Stephen Regan (Dorset Drone)

Bridport South and West Bay also contains the area’s mobile coronavirus testing site, which has seen residents from across Dorset carry out tests for Covid-19.

In comparison to wider Dorset, West Dorset area has largely reported low numbers of coronavirus cases. Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester areas have reported varying levels of Covid-19 cases while a large number of positive tests have been confirmed within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas.