The two councils have warned that although Covid rates are coming down, they are still high, which means it is too early to relax or become complacent.  Below is a comparison to illustrate the sharp rise in cases in Dorset since December.

5 February 2021

BCP

Cases 1,462 

Case rate per 100,000 – 369.8

Deaths 127

Dorset

Cases 785

Case rate per 100,000 – 207.4

Deaths 57

18 December 2020

Dorset

174 cases

Rate per 100,000 – 46

24 deaths in the whole of the South West due to Covid-19 (according to NHS statistics)

10 April 2020

A further comparison has been made with NHS figures released on 10 April 2020 at the height of the pandemic when the number of deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 in England was recorded as 866. On the same day the total number of deaths in the whole of the South West was recorded as 41.

Public Health Dorset is urging people to continue to follow the rules during the national lockdown. Only leave home for essential reasons. With one in three people not having any symptoms, any breaking or bending of the rules could easily see a rise in cases again. You may feel fine but if you’re not following the correct measures you can easily pass the virus on to someone vulnerable with serious consequences.