Covid cases across Dorset decrease to below the average for the South West of England.

Public Health Dorset reports that there are 965 confirmed cases in the last seven days in the Dorset Council area, compared to 1,219 on September 10, and 978 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area, compared to 1,186 on September 10.

The seven-day case rate per 100,000 of the population in the Dorset Council area is 254.1, compared to 321 on September 10, and 246.4 in the BCP Council area, compared to 298.7 on September 10.

There are currently 30 people with Covid-19 in hospital beds in Dorset, compared to 40 on September 10.

"A spokesman for Public Health Dorset said: "We have seen a decrease in Covid-19 cases in both the Dorset Council area and BCP Council area over the last week. Both Dorset Council and BCP Council case rates are below the average for the South West and England.

"Hospitalisations related to Covid-19 have also decreased to 30 over the last week, down from 40 in the previous week. The levels we are seeing of hospitalisations related to Covid-19 are much lower than during previous waves. The vaccine is continuing to have an impact on protecting people from serious illness and death.

"We continue to urge anyone who hasn't yet had their first or second dose of the Covid vaccine to book an appointment or attend a walk-in clinic.

"It's also important to keep testing regularly with rapid lateral flow tests to check that you're not infectious and putting other people at risk - we know that it's still possible to catch or spread Covid-19 even after you've been vaccinated. Order your free tests online or collect from a local pharmacy. Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should self-isolate and book a PCR test."

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