THE 'R rate' in the South West has decreased as senior health figures say Covid-19 cases in Dorset are "beginning to level off".

The fresh data, which has been released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on Friday, November 20, rates the ability to spread Covid-19 and the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to, on average.

The 'R rate' for the South West is currently between 1.0 - 1.3, which is higher than the latest R number range for the UK of 1.0 - 1.1.

The current growth rate in Dorset is set at +1 to +4, meaning that new infections are growing between four per cent to seven per cent every day.

Last week, the South West had an R rate of 1.2 - 1.4, with a growth rate between four to seven per cent.

The R rate for the South West remains among the highest across England along with the South East, which has an R rate of 1.1- 1.3, while the East of England has a 1.0 - 1.3 R rate. 

These are the latest R estimates by NHS England region: 

Region - R Growth rate - per day

England: 1.0-1.1, 0 to +2

East of England: 1.0-1.3, +1 to +4

London: 1.0-1.2, 0 to +3

Midlands: 1.0-1.2, 0 to +3

North East and Yorkshire: 1.0-1.1, 0 to +2

North West: 0.8-1.0, -3 to 0

South East: 1.1-1.3, +1 to +4

South West: 1.0-1.3, +1 to +4

The news comes as coronavirus cases in Dorset are “beginning to level off” as a result of the national lockdown, say health officials.

However, the number of cases and rates across Dorset continues to rise, according to the latest data.

In a recent update, Public Health Dorset said: “We are starting to see the impact of the national restrictions on our local situation with data beginning to level off, but this will become clearer in the next couple of weeks.

“We need everyone to follow the guidance, stay at home as much as possible and avoid contact with others in order to bring our cases down and put us in the best position for the end of national measures.”