FOUR areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were showing as coronavirus ‘hotspots’ according to government data.

Only two areas across BCP had a rate lower than 400 cases per 100,000 people, Kinson East (363.9) and West Highcliffe (361.7).

Further afield, in Dorset, the vast majority of East Dorset had a rate between 400 and 799, as did Bere Regis, Bridport, Chartlon Down and Westham North.

However, according to the government’s interactive map, Bearwood, Penn Hill, Westbourne and Iford were showing as ‘hotspots’.

Bournemouth Echo:

Bearwood recorded 46 cases in the seven days leading up to January 2, giving a rolling infection rate of 837.1 per 100,000 people.

Penn Hill had 82 cases and a rate of 816.5 while Westbourne recorded 62 cases and had the highest rate across the county with 1,054 infections per 100,000.

Iford recorded 64 cases and had a rate of 848.5 per 100,000.

A week previously, the seven days leading up to December 26, only Broadstone and Westcliffe had an infection rate above 400.

The map, which can be viewed here, uses data from Public Health England to show potential virus "hotspots" in the country.

It is divided into Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs), which are areas with an average population of 7,200.

The map colour-codes MSOAs depending on their seven-day rolling rate, with areas placed into the boundaries of 0-10, 11-50, 51-100, 101-200, 201-400, 400 to 799 and 800 plus.

Just 24 areas across BCP and Dorset had a rate lower than 400 per 100,000.

They are:

  • Kinson East – 23 cases, rate 363.9
  • Blandford Forum Town – 31 cases, rate 296.1
  • Wareham, Sandford & Holton Heath – 19 cases, rate 216.2
  • Corfe Castle & Langton Matravers – 16 cases, rate 319.6
  • Swanage – 21 cases, rate 213.9
  • Bovington, Wool & Lulworth – 9 cases, rate 101.5
  • Milborne, Winterborne & Okeford Fitzpaine – 21 cases, rate 263.3
  • Child Okeford & Iwerne Minster – 15 cases, rate 206.7
  • Sturminster Newton & Stalbridge – 17 cases, rate 166.5
  • Yetminster, Bradford, Abbas & Longburton – 24 cases, rate 312.5
  • Overmoigne, Broadmayne & Winterbourne – 17 cases, rate 211.5
  • Preston & Lodmoor, 21 cases, 239.0
  • Weymouth Town, Melcombe Regis & Rodwell – 18 cases, rate 184
  • Weymouth West – 8 cases, rate 153.6
  • Wyke Regis – 19 cases, rate 341.1
  • Underhill & The Grove – 8 cases, rate 132.4
  • Southwell & Weston – 11 cases, rate 151.3
  • Chickerell & Chesil Bank – 20 cases, rate 243
  • Burton Bradstock & Chideock – 18 cases, rate 238.8
  • Bridport South & West Bay – 4 cases, rate 72
  • Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 13 cases, rate 180
  • Beaminster, maiden Newton & Halstock – 12 cases, rate 123.9
  • Gillingham Outer, Bourton & Motcombe – 16 cases, rate 174.5
  • Gillingham – 20 cases, rate 261.8