FIFTEEN areas in Dorset have five new coronavirus cases or less as an interactive map reveals the Covid-19 hotspots across the county.

A 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, November 15.

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.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: The interactive map shows there are varying levels of coronavirus in Dorset. Picture: Public Health England.The interactive map shows there are varying levels of coronavirus in Dorset. Picture: Public Health England.

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.

Some areas are coloured white and described as "suppressed", meaning MSOA level rates are suppressed and there have been fewer than three cases in a seven-day period. This also protects the privacy of individuals and prevent disclosure.

Varying levels of coronavirus have been reported across Dorset according to Public Health England.

In the seven days up to November 15, Dorset reported 1,303 cases. The case rate compared to the UK average is, however, just below average.

Note: This article includes the most recent data available at the time of publication.

The following 15 areas in Dorset have seen five or fewer confirmed cases in the last week:

  • Bere Regis & Lytchett Matravers - Suppressed (meaning there have been less than three cases reported)
  • Bridport South and West Bay - Suppressed
  • Bridport North - Suppressed
  • Broadwey & Littlemoor - Five cases
  • Burton Bradstock and Chideock – Three cases
  • Christchurch Town - Three cases 
  • Ferndown West & Canford Bottom - Five cases
  • Highcliffe & Walkford - Four cases 
  • Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale - Three cases 
  • Gillingham - Three cases 
  • Gillingham Outer, Bourton & Motcombe - Three cases 
  • Preston & Lodmoor - Three cases 
  • Sturminster Newton and Stalbridge - Three cases 
  • Weymouth West - Five cases 
  • Wyke Regis - Three cases

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

  • Bearwood - 37 cases
  • Broadstone - 25 cases 
  • Central Bournemouth - 51 cases 
  • Hamworthy West - 24 cases
  • East Cliff - 27 cases 
  • Moordown - 34 cases
  • Poole Town - 33 cases 
  • Springbourne & Queen's Park - 37 cases
  • Throop & Muscliffe - 26 cases 
  • Winton - 51 cases

The 'R rate' for the South West is currently between 1.0 - 1.3, which is higher than the latest R number range for the UK of 1.0 - 1.1.

The current growth rate in Dorset is set at +1 to +4, meaning that new infections are growing between four per cent to seven per cent every day.