ONLY six areas of Dorset have reported more than three active coronavirus cases, according to latest figures.

An interactive map, which uses Public Health England data, shows how many people have tested positive for the virus in each area of the county over the seven-day period up to Sunday, May 9.

Public Health England breaks down the numbers of coronavirus 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 through this link, 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. The darker the colour on the image, the more positive test results have been recorded.

Bournemouth Echo: There are varying levels of coronavirus cases in Dorset. Picture: Public Health EnglandThere are varying levels of coronavirus cases in Dorset. Picture: Public Health England

The map highlights which areas of the county have three or more confirmed cases of the virus and colour co-coordinates the areas by how many cases they have.

In the seven days up to Sunday, May 9, Dorset reported 86 cases. The case rate compared to the UK average is below the national average.

A majority of areas in Dorset are now reporting fewer than three cases, meaning they appear as 'suppressed' and colour coded as white on the map. 

The following areas in Dorset confirmed coronavirus cases over the last week. The areas where cases have increased are marked in bold. 

  • Child Okeford & Iwerne Minster - Three cases (up by one)
  • Parkstone - Three cases
  • Sherborne - Three cases (up by one)
  • Westham South - Three cases (up by one)
  • Canford Heath East - Five cases (up by three)
  • Poole Town - Seven cases

The 'R rate' for the South West now stands at between 0.8 - 1.1, which is on par with the latest R number range for the UK of 0.8 - 1.1. 

The Government says an R-value between 0.8 and 1.1 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between eight and 11 other people.

The current growth rate in the South West is set at -4 to 1. The size of the growth rate indicates the speed of change.

A growth rate of between -4 per cent and 1 per cent means that the number of new infections could be growing by up to one per cent every day.

Last week, the South West had an R rate of 0.8 - 1.1 with a growth rate of -3 to 2.