As New Year’s Eve looms, Public Health Dorset data shows that in the week leading up to Christmas, there was a “significant increase” in coronavirus cases in Dorset and hospital admissions jumped too.
Dorset Council is currently under tier two restrictions but the UK Government’s Health Secretary, Matt Hancock will review England’s tier restrictions on Wednesday 30th December 2020.
Public Health Dorset data for week 17th to 23rd December 2020
Confirmed cases in last 7 days
- Dorset: 455 (compared to 174 last week)
- BCP: 865 (compared to 340 last week)
- South West: 9,820
- England: 226,191
7 day case rates per 100,000
- Dorset: 120.2 (compared to 46.0 last week)
- BCP: 218.8 (compared to 86.0 last week)
- South West: 174.6
- England: 401.9
Swanage
In Swanage, the confirmed number of cases in last 7 days to 23rd December 2020 is 8 and the 7 day case rates per 100,000 is 81.5.
Hospital admissions
- Current Covid-19 patients in hospital beds in Dorset: 134 (compared to 98 in last update on 18th December 2020)
Hospitals in England are currently treating more coronavirus patients than at the peak of the first wave in April 2020.
There were 20,426 people being treated for Covid-19 in hospitals in England on Monday 28th December 2020, which is higher than the previous peak of about 19,000 in April 2020.

“Significant increase in our case numbers”
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 Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas are under tier two restrictions (as of 29th December 2020), although a further review of tiers is expected in the coming days.
“To avoid the further spread of Covid-19 in Dorset, please limit your contact with people from outside your household and do not meet anyone you don’t live with indoors. Please celebrate New Year’s Eve safely at home with your household.
“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.”