CORONAVIRUS cases are continuing to fall across Dorset, as data suggests the spread of Covid-19 is 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 31. 

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.

Bournemouth Echo: The varying levels of coronavirus cases in Dorset according to Public Health England.The varying levels of coronavirus cases in Dorset according to Public Health England.

In the seven days up to Sunday, January 31, Dorset reported 2,200 cases. The case rate compared to the UK average is near the national average, which has been steadily increasing in recent weeks.  

A majority of areas in Dorset have reported either slight or large decreases of new coronavirus cases.

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:

  • Bridport North - Suppressed (meaning there are less than three cases)
  • Burton Bradstock & Chideock - Suppressed
  • Yetminster, Bradford Abbas & Longburton - Suppressed 
  • Corfe Castle & Langton Matravers - Four cases 
  • Beaminster, Maiden Newton & Halstock - Four cases 
  • Bridport South & West Bay - Five cases 
  • Chickerell & Chesil Bank - Five cases 
  • Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale - Six cases 
  • Blandford Outer & Tarrants - Seven cases 
  • Overmoigne, Broadmayne & Winterbourne - Eight cases 

The following 10 areas in Dorset confirmed the most cases in the last week:

  • Rossmore - 45 cases
  • Boscombe West - 50 cases
  • Creekmoor - 50 cases
  • Springbourne & Queen's Park - 53 cases
  • Charminster (BCP) - 54 cases
  • Corfe Mullen - 54 cases
  • Westbourne - 54 cases 
  • Poole Town - 58 cases 
  • East Cliff - 59 cases 
  • Child Okeford & Iwerne Minster - 69 cases 

The updated 'R rate' for the South West, including Dorset, is now between 0.7 - 0.9, which is lower than the latest R number range for the UK of 0.7 - 1.0.

The Government say an R value between 0.7 and 0.9 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between seven and nine other people.

The current growth rate in the South West is set at -6 to -2. The size of the growth rate indicates the speed of change.

A growth rate of -6 per cent indicates the epidemic is shrinking faster than a growth rate of -5 per cent.