FEWER than 50 coronavirus cases have been reported across Dorset – the second lowest in the South West.

The figures from Public Health England, for the seven days to May 18, are based on the number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in either a lab-reported or rapid lateral flow test, by specimen date.

In the seven days to May 18, 49 cases have been reported across Dorset – 18 cases in Dorset Council area and 31 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas.

An interactive map from Public Health England shows that there are only two areas of Dorset with three or more active coronavirus cases. West Cliff has reported three cases while four people tested positive for Covid-19 in Hamworthy West.

Dorset Council area has a rolling rate of 4.8 cases per 100,000 people while is there a rolling rate of 7.8 per 100,000 people in the BCP Council area. The combined rolling rate of cases in Dorset currently stands at 6.3.

This is the second lowest across the South West, with 31 positive Covid-19 cases reported in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

Across the South West, 76 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Gloucester, 74 cases in Wiltshire, 72 cases in Somerset, Bristol has recorded 67 cases and there are 62 active coronavirus cases in Devon.