THE picture across Dorset has changed dramatically in the past four weeks since the lockdown was introduced.

A map on the government's coronavirus dashboard illustrates how coronavirus cases have been rising, and falling, week by week.

Based on Public Health England data, the interactive tool breaks down infections by small areas with an average population of 7,200, which are referred to as Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs).

For each MSOA, the map shows the number of cases recorded in the latest weekly period, the case rate per 100,000 and whether cases have gone up or down compared to the previous week.

Areas shown in light green have the lowest rates (between 11 and 50), green is used for areas with rates between 51 and 100 while blue areas have rates above 101 but below 200.

Dark blue and purple are the colours used to represent MSOAs with the highest rates of new cases (above 200 and above 400).

Any area which appears purple is considered a 'hotspot'. 

Here we look back at what's happened in Dorset over the past four weeks. 

The week ending November 3

Bournemouth Echo:

Just before lockdown was imposed, the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area had three coronavirus ‘hotspots’.

These were Canford Heath West, Talbot and Branksome and Winton. Canford Heath West had 30 cases and a rate of 445.8, Talbot & Branksome Woods recorded 33 cases and a rate of 474.4 with 42 cases in Winton giving a rate of 439.8.

Huge swathes across the conurbation had an MSOA rate of 101 to 200 or 201 to 400.

Christchurch, East Dorset and parts of Purbeck had an MSOA between 51 and 100.

Some areas appeared on the map as “suppressed” and recorded fewer than three cases in the seven days to November 3.

These were Burton Bradstock & Chideock, Bridport South & West Bay, Charlton Down, Cerne Abbas & Puddletown, Gillingham and Shaftesbury.

The week ending November 10

Bournemouth Echo:

Seven days later and five locations in the BCP area were coronavirus 'hotspots'.

Winton had 78 cases and a rate of 816.8, Charminster had 45 cases and a rate of 562.0, Central Bournemouth had 65 cases and a rate of 500.4, Talbot & Branksome Woods had 30 cases and a rate of 431.3 and Moordown had 33 cases and a rate of 407.6. 

Parts of Purbeck started to record more cases including Bovington, Wool & Lulworth and Wareham, Sandford & Holton Heath. Elsewhere, areas in East Dorset also see cases increase including St Leonards and West Verwood. 

"Suppressed" areas were Child Okeford & Iwerne Minster, Bridport South & West Bay and Highcliffe & Walkford. 

The week ending November 17

Bournemouth Echo:

The lockdown appears to show a slowing in the number of cases across the county. More areas are showing as "suppressed" and just one coronavirus 'hotspot' is identified which is Bearwood. 

Bearwood had 48 cases and a rolling rate of 873.5. 

Branksome East and Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & Sandbanks change from dark blue to green. 

Elsewhere, Christchurch, Ferndown West & Canford Bottom and Colehill also show a drop in cases.

Bere Regis & Lytchett Matravers, Milborne, Winterborne & Okeford Fitzpaine, Gillingham Outer, Bourton & Motcombe, Alderholt & Sixpenny Handley, Preston & Lodmoor, Bridport South & West Bay, Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale all appear as "suppressed". 

The week ending November 24

Bournemouth Echo:

Huge swathes of the county are showing as "suppressed" in a really positive sign that the lockdown is working and things have turned a corner. 

Bearwood is identified once again as a 'hotspot' but the number of cases have reduced dramatically falling from 48 to 29 with a rate of 527.8.

Suppressed areas include Corfe Castle & Langton Matravers, Merley, St Leonards, Ferndown Town, Branksome East, Bere Regis & Lytchett Matravers and Sturminster Newton & Stalbridge. 

For the fourth week running, Bridport South & West Bay records fewer than three cases during the period.