Public Health Dorset, which is now taking the lead in identifying and responding to local coronavirus outbreaks, has released new weekly coronavirus data.
It shows an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Dorset Council area, compared to the previous week but the numbers still remain low.
11 cases in the Dorset Council area
In its latest update, which Public Health Dorset is now publishing weekly, it shows that for Wednesday 5th to Tuesday 11th August 2020, there were 11 cases of coronavirus confirmed for the Dorset Council area. This compares to six in the previous week.
10 cases in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area
In the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area there were 10 cases of coronavirus confirmed for from Wednesday 5th to Tuesday 11th August 2020. This compares to two cases in the previous week.
Public Health Dorset says these are low numbers of cases compared with many other areas in England and it considers that the current risk of a second peak is low.
Case rates per 100,000 of the population
Wednesday 5th to Tuesday 11th August 2020
Dorset Council – 2.9
BCP Council – 2.5
South West – 5
England – 7.8
Friday 24th to Thursday 30th July 2020
Dorset Council – 1.3
BCP Council – 1.8
South West – 4.5
England – 9
The weekly update also offers information about care homes and schools in relation to coronavirus. For care homes, the report says:
“There are a very small number of care homes with positive COVID cases in the county. These are being monitored closely and are all currently under control.
“A local care home visiting policy has been developed. The current assessment is that due to the low number of cases and transmission in the area, it is safe for care homes in Dorset to resume visits providing national guidance is adhered to.”
For schools, the report says:
“The national estimate of R is below 1, and current advice is that it is safe for schools to return as long as the guidance is followed to maintain social distancing and hygiene.”
