CORONAVIRUS cases have now been reported in every single area of Dorset - as the country adjusts to the third national lockdown.

Public Health England breaks down the numbers of Covid-19 cases into neighbourhoods called 'Middle Super Output Areas' (MSOAs) on an interactive map, which are smaller than council wards and based on population rather than geographical area.

The interactive map, which can be found online, 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.

In reveals that in the seven days up until Thursday, December 31, 2020 every area across Dorset - including both Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole Council areas - have now reported a coronavirus cluster.

Government and Public Health England define a coronavirus cluster as an area where there are more than two Covid-19 cases in a population size of 7,500 at any one time.

Dorset Echo:

The area within the Dorset Council territory with the highest number of coronavirus cases is the Charlton Down, Cerne Abbas and Puddletown, which has reported 54 positive Covid-19 tests in the seven-day time period.

Meanwhile, Bridport South and West Bay, which covers which covers the southern part of Bridport below East Road roundabout, Bothenhamton and West Bay, has only reported four active cases – the lowest in Dorset Council area and across the county.

A number of areas have reported a surge of positive tests, including Bridport North, Chickerell and Chesil Bank, Westham North and Radipole areas.

Every area, bar Bridport South and West Bay, has reported an increase in coronavirus cases. Dorset Council area, on a whole, has recorded 522 new Covid-19 cases since the week before, an increase of 110.1 per cent.

West Cliff within BCP Council area has reported the highest number of Covid-19 cases with 65 while West Highcliffe has recorded just 15 positive tests, the lowest within this authority area.

Looking across the map, cases in areas around Dorset have increased as both Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas report a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Latest data shows 996 people tested positive for coronavirus across the Dorset Council area in the seven days up until December 31. In the wider BCP Council area, 1,986 new cases have been confirmed in the same time period, with 1,090 more positive tests recorded since the week before.

Dorset Council area's coronavirus infection rate has soared to 263.1 per 100,000 people – but it has snowballed in recent weeks. The case rate for Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole is 502.4 per 100,00 people.

Before the national lockdown announcement, Public Health Dorset reported a ‘significant increase’ in case numbers and rates over the last couple of weeks as well as a rise in hospital admissions.

It is hoped that the latest national lockdown, provisionally scheduled until mid-February, will slow the spread of coronavirus and reduce the strain on hospitals and medical services across the country.