ALMOST every area in Dorset is reporting increasing cases of coronavirus - as some areas report outbreaks of Covid-19. 

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, January 3. 

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.

Dorset Echo: The varying levels of coronavirus cases in Dorset according to Public Health England.The varying levels of coronavirus cases in Dorset according to 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.

Varying levels of coronavirus have been reported across Dorset according to Public Health England's data. 

In the seven days up to Sunday, January 3, Dorset reported 3,892 cases. The case rate compared to the UK average is near the national average, which has been steadily increasing in recent weeks.  

Note: This article includes the most recent data available at the time of publication.

The following 10 areas in Dorset confirmed the least cases in the last week:

  • Bridport South and West Bay - Four cases
  • Southwell & Weston - Nine cases
  • Underhill & The Grove - Nine cases
  • Beaminster, Maiden Newton & Halstock - 11 cases
  • Bovington, Wool & Lulworth - 13 cases
  • Gillingham Outer, Bourton & Motcombe - 14 cases 
  • Overmoigne, Broadmayne & Winterbourne - 16 cases 
  • Child Okeford & Iwerne Minster - 18 cases 
  • Sturminster Newton & Stalbridge - 18 cases
  • Gillingham - 19 cases 

The following 10 areas in Dorset confirmed the most cases in the last week:

  • Creekmoor - 65 cases  
  • Rossmore - 69 cases 
  • Oakdale East - 70 cases 
  • Boscombe West - 74 cases 
  • Oakdale West - 75 cases 
  • Springbourne & Queen's Park - 78 cases 
  • East Cliff - 85 cases
  • Penn Hill - 92 cases 
  • Central Bournemouth - 103 cases 
  • Newtown - 112 cases 

The updated 'R rate' for the South West is now between 1.1 - 1.5, which is higher than the latest R number range for the UK of 1.0 - 1.4.

The current growth rate in the region, including Dorset, is set at +2 to +8, meaning that new infections are growing between two per cent to eight per cent every day.