Cases across Dorset are "rising quickly" with the Dorset Council case rate almost tripling in a week.

Public Health Dorset reports there are 106 confirmed cases in the last seven days in the Dorset Council area, compared to 42 on June 11, and 228 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area, compared to 74 on June 11.

The seven-day case rate per 100,000 of the population in the Dorset council area is 28, compared to 11.1 on June 11, and 57.7 in the BCP Council area, compared to 18.7 on June 11.

There are currently three Covid-19 patients in hospital beds in Dorset, compared to one on June 11.

A spokesman for Public Health Dorset said: "Throughout the past few months, we have experienced low case rates across Dorset, but the situation has changed in the last couple of weeks and cases have risen quickly. This is also happening across the wider South West region and England but case rates in the BCP Council area have more than tripled since last week, and the Dorset Council case rate is almost triple last week's as well.

"We currently still have a low number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals in Dorset. We will monitor this closely over the coming weeks, but we expect the link between cases and hospitalisations to be weakened due to the vaccination rollout. At the moment our case rates are highest amongst younger, largely unvaccinated age groups.

"Data shows that the Delta variant is more transmissible than previous variants, and it is quickly becoming the dominant strain of Covid-19 in the UK. In line with this, we have seen an increase in Delta variant cases locally over the last few weeks.

"Due to the increase in cases and the higher transmissibility of the Delta variant, it's more important than ever to keep playing your part in stopping the spread of Covid-19. Get both doses of the vaccine to make sure you get maximum protection against serious illness. Keep doing regular rapid tests to check you're not infectious, and self-isolate if you get a positive result or develop any symptoms. Remember the guidance on hands, face, space and fresh air, to keep yourself and your loved ones safe."