MULTIPLE areas across Dorset have not recorded any new coronavirus clusters, according to the latest data.
Public Health England breaks down the numbers of Covid-19 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 online, 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.
According to data from Public Health England in the seven days up to Tuesday, February 16, these are the seven areas without a coronavirus cluster in Dorset:
- Bridport North
- Bridport South and West Bay
- Dorchester East
- Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale
- Sherborne
- Wyke Regis
- Yetminster, Bradford Abbas & Longburton
Government and Public Health England define a coronavirus cluster as an area where there are more than two coronavirus cases in a population size of 7,500 at any one time.
Some areas are coloured white and described as "suppressed", meaning MSOA level rates are suppressed and there have been zero to two cases in a seven-day period. This also protects the privacy of individuals and prevents disclosure.
On the previous week up to the seven days to Tuesday, February 9, Bridport North reported no coronavirus cases, four people tested positive for Covid-19 in Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale, Bridport South and West Bay and Sherborne areas both saw five cases, Yetminster, Bradford Abbas & Longburton recorded six cases and nine cases were reported in Dorchester East.
These areas are likely to have not seen a coronavirus cluster in recent days because these locations are predominantly rural areas or spread out.
For example, Yetminster, Bradford Abbas & Longburton covers a large area of parishes and villages such as Folke, Thornford and Chetnole, while Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale contains Catherston Leweston, Whitchurch Canonicorum and Fishpond Bottom.
Bar Dorchester East and Sherborne, these areas cover large land and a number of parishes, meaning the spread of Covid-19 around these areas is less than in a more enclosed urban area. Data also shows that West Dorset has also reported low numbers of Covid-19 cases throughout the pandemic.
Dorchester East, which covers the eastern section of the town along the A35, is the smallest area to have not reported a coronavirus cluster in Dorset and includes a number of residential areas.
In comparison to each locations’ surrounding areas, they have reported varying levels of coronavirus cases.
Dorchester West & Poundbury has recorded 15 cases and 10 people tested positive for Covid-19 in Overmoigne, Broadmayne & Winterbourne.
Areas around Yetminster, Bradford Abbas & Longburton, which borders Somerset, has reported higher figures with Charlton Down, Cerne Abbas & Puddletown and Sturminster Newton & Stalbridge recorded five cases, three people tested positive for Covid-19 in Milborne, Winterborne and Okeford Fitzpaine.
Meanwhile in West Dorset, the area has reported low numbers of coronavirus cases, with four people testing positive for Covid-19 in both Burton Bradstock & Chideock and Beaminster, Maiden Newton & Halstock areas and Chickerell & Chesil Bank recorded five cases.
Coronavirus cases across Dorset are decreasing, with 901 Covid-19 cases recorded in the seven days up to Tuesday, February 16.
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