AN AREA of Portland has recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases in Dorset – as the island's mayor urged people to follow social distancing measures and get their vaccine.
Public Health England breaks down the numbers of Covid-19 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 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.
The darker the colour on the image, the more positive test results have been recorded.
Underhill & The Grove has reported 52 cases in the seven days to Tuesday, February 9 – the most recent data available.
This is an increase of 34 cases on the week before, when 18 cases were reported. This area has the highest number of reported Covid-19 cases in Dorset while neighbouring Southwell & Weston has reported no active cases.
According to Public Health England’s data, it is also the highest number of active coronavirus cases the area has recorded during the course of the pandemic.
The reason for the spike in cases is not clear.
Spike in coronavirus cases on Portland a 'worrying trend'
Portland Mayor, Sandy West, called the latest statistics a ‘worrying trend’ and noted the island has been ‘lucky’ to experience relatively low numbers of Covid-19 cases.
She said: “We have had low numbers but there have been some anti-social behaviour incidents in play parks which we have closed down, but generally speaking, people have been really good in following the rules in wearing their masks and social distancing.
“I think 52 out of a population of several thousand does not sound like a lot but it is a worrying trend."
Mrs West, who recently received her first dose of the coronavirus vaccine, hopes that Portland residents can get their vaccines as soon as possible.
She said: “I am urging everyone to get their coronavirus vaccine and I hope that when people are vaccinated, it will help drive the numbers down.
“I am hopeful that we will get out of this, but I hope people can get their vaccinations as there is no way out of this otherwise.
“My thoughts go out to those with coronavirus and I wish them all the best with their recovery.”
Why Portland area may have seen spike in coronvirus cases
Jane Horne, consultant in Public Health at Public Health Dorset, noted these statistics can raise questions from residents and said the surge in cases could be down to a number of reasons.
She said: “Sometimes these areas may be experiencing an outbreak in a particular setting – e.g. a workplace, care or educational setting – and this can contribute to the higher numbers.
“Outbreaks are managed with public health authorities and partners to ensure all infection prevention and control measures are in place.
“Many workplaces and settings are now taking part in routine testing programmes which means that figures can also include asymptomatic cases identified through a round of testing.
“However, one setting rarely accounts for all transmission and this is why it’s really important that everyone continues to follow the rules.”
Mrs Horne added that it is ‘important to look wider than just one small area’ and could be down to people unknowingly bring the virus into the area.
She said: “People rarely stay completely in one area and may live, work and shop across a few different areas. If an area is showing up with high numbers of cases, it doesn’t necessarily mean that all of the transmission is taking place in that one area or one particular setting.
“The numbers can change very quickly and an area experiencing high numbers one week often returns to lower numbers within a week or so.
“This means it’s important to look at trends over time rather than figures on one particular day. We continually monitor all of the data, so if one ward or town continues to be an area of concern this will be picked up and any appropriate action will be taken.
“We would let residents know if this was the case.”
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