THE latest weekly total of coronavirus cases recorded in Dorset is up by more than 70 per cent on the figures published by public health chiefs last week.
Figures released by Public Health Dorset on Monday, January 4, show that in the seven days up to December 29, 2,284 cases were recorded across the county.
This was up from 1,320 cases recorded in the seven days to December 23.
The latest case numbers have 1,540 cases in the BCP Council area, with a case rate of 389.5 per 100,000 people.
This compared to 865 cases and a rate of 218.8 for the seven days up to December 23.
In the Dorset Council area, the most recent figures show 744 cases, with a rate of 196.6. These numbers are up from 455 cases and a rate of 120.2 reported previously.
Public Health Dorset said there were currently 135 Covid patients in hospital beds across Dorset, cmpaired to 134 reported on December 29.
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A spokesperson for Public Health Dorset said: "In line with the situation across the wider South West region and England as a whole, we have seen a significant increase in our case numbers and rates over the last couple of weeks. We are also seeing a rise in hospital admissions.
"The latest government tier review on December 30 moved the Dorset Council area in to tier 3 and the BCP Council area in to tier 4. These changes in tiers started on 31 December.
"Residents in the BCP Council area are asked to stay at home and only leave for certain reasons such as getting food and medicine, work and education."
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"Residents of the Dorset Council are also asked to help avoid the further spread of COVID-19 by limiting your contact with people from outside your household and do not meet anyone you don't live with indoors.
"If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate at home immediately with other members of your household and book yourself a test. You must all stay at home whilst you wait for the result to prevent possibly spreading the virus to others."
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