MORE than 150 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Dorset over the last 24 hours, according to the latest figures.
Data released by the Government show 177 people tested positive in the county in the 24 hours leading up to 4pm on Friday (October 30).
In the Dorset Council area, 55 people have tested positive. The total number of coronavirus cases in the area since the beginning of the pandemic has broken the 2,000 mark and now stands at 2,014.
122 cases were reported in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area. The total number of cases in the area is now 3,861.
Today's recorded cases are a decrease of 16 after 193 positive tests of coronavirus were reported in Dorset yesterday.
Both areas remain in the medium risk Tier 1 category, amid a consistent rise in coronavirus cases.
The 'R rate' in the South West has meanwhile slightly decreased as coronavirus cases in Dorset continue to grow.
The data, which has been released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), rates the ability to spread Covid-19 and the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to, on average.
The 'R rate' for the South West is currently between 1.2 - 1.5, which is higher than the latest R number range for the UK of 1.1 - 1.3.
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