THIRTY areas in Dorset have five new coronavirus cases or less as an interactive map reveals the spread of Covid-19 appears to be slowing down in 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 22.

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 varying levels of coronavirus in Dorset.The interactive map shows varying levels of coronavirus in Dorset.

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 22, Dorset reported 777 cases. The case rate compared to the UK average is, however, below average.

The map appears to show the spread of coronavirus cases has declined in recent days, suggesting that lockdown and limiting social maxing has worked. 

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

The following 30 areas in Dorset have seen five or fewer confirmed cases in the last week:

  • Alderholt & Sixpenny Handley - Suppressed (meaning there have been less than three cases reported)
  • Beaminster, Maiden Newton and Halstock - Suppressed
  • Bere Regis and Lytchett Matravers - Suppressed
  • Branksome East - Suppressed
  • Bridport South and West Bay - Suppressed
  • Bridport North - Suppressed
  • Broadwey & Littlemoor - Suppressed 
  • Burton Bradstock and Chideock – Three cases
  • Charlton Down, Cerne Abbas and Puddletown - Three cases
  • Chickerell and Chesil Bank - Three cases 
  • Corfe Castle & Langton Matravers - Four cases
  • Dorchester West and Poundbury - Three cases 
  • East Southbourne and Hengistbury Head - Four cases
  • Ferndown Town - Suppressed
  • Gillingham - Five cases 
  • Gillingham Outer, Bourton and Motcombe - Suppressed 
  • Hamworthy East - Four cases
  • Hamworthy West- Four cases
  • Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale - Suppressed
  • Merley - Three cases
  • Mudeford - Three cases
  • Overmoigne, Broadmayne and Winterbourne - Suppressed
  • Preston & Lodmoor - Suppressed
  • Somerford - Three cases
  • Sturminster Newton and Stalbridge - Suppressed
  • Wareham, Sandford and Holton Heath - Suppressed
  • Westham North and Radipole - Three cases
  • Weymouth West - Suppressed
  • Wyke Regis - Three cases

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

  • Bearwood - 40 cases
  • Branksome West - 21 cases
  • Central Bournemouth - 19 cases
  • Creekmore - 20 cases
  • East Cliff - 29 cases 
  • Kinson East - 17 cases
  • Moordown - 17 cases
  • Queens Park - 21 cases
  • Rossmore - 18 cases
  • Springbourne & Queen's Park - 17 cases

The 'R rate' for the South West is currently between 0.9 - 1.1, which is slightly higher than the latest R number range for the UK of 0.9 -1.0.

The current growth rate in South West, including Dorset, is set at -2 to +2. The size of the growth rate indicates the speed of change. A growth rate of +2 per cent indicates the epidemic is growing faster than a growth rate of +1 per cent.