Covid infection rates across Dorset have fallen steeply since earlier in the month.

Public Health Dorset reports there are 2,524 confirmed Covid cases in the Dorset Council area, compared to 4,403 on January 14, and 3,049 in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area, compared to 5,362 on January 14.

The seven-day case rate per 100,000 of the population for the Dorset Council area is 664.6, compared to 1,159.1 on January 14, and 768.0 for the BCP Council area, compared to 1,350.7 on January 14.

There are currently 68 people with Covid-19 in Dorset hospitals, compared to 94 on January 14.

A spokesman for Public Health Dorset said: "Infection rates in Dorset Council and BCP Council have fallen steeply from a peak in early January. This is a similar picture to the national trend and the case rates for both council areas are now below the average rates for England and the South West. Infection rates remain high and there are still thousands of people catching Covid-19 across Dorset each week. We've also seen a reduction in the number of people in hospital in Dorset with Covid-19 and the number of deaths related to the virus remains relatively stable.

"These trends are positive, but we are still living with Covid-19. The Government has announced the removal of Plan B coronavirus measures, but it's important to continue to exercise caution. Health and care services are still extremely busy so we need to do all we can to protect essential frontline services, as well as our friends and loved ones."

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