Residents who have been notified in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will receive a welfare call to ensure they can self-isolate successfully.

Cllr Nicola Greene, portfolio holder for Covid Resilience, Public Health and Education, BCP Council said, “It’s really important that residents self-isolate if they are notified by the Test and Trace service to prevent the spread of the virus in the community and to keep themselves safe. We understand that self-isolating may be difficult for some of our residents and so our Together We Can team will be on hand to carry out a welfare check over the phone to ensure they have the support in place.”

Sam Crowe, director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils said, “Self-isolation means just that. You cannot leave your home unless you are taking yourself to have a COVID-19 test. This means not going to the shops or going out for exercise.

“I would encourage residents to have a plan in place in case you need to self-isolate. Talk to your friends and family to ask if they can deliver food and medicines to you. If you do not have a network of people you can rely on, then the BCP Council Together We Can helpline is here for residents that need support.”

If a resident is vulnerable and doesn’t have friends, family or neighbours nearby who can help to access food and prescriptions, then support can be offered through the successful volunteer scheme. Referrals can also be made to access priority supermarket delivery slots and if on a low income, advice will be given about accessing the new Test and Trace benefit payment.

The NHS Test and Trace service works in two ways, firstly, notifying a resident that they have had a confirmed test for coronavirus and advising on the their requirement to isolate and secondly, to contact those who have been in close contact with the confirmed case and inform them of the need to self-isolate.

The Together We Can helpline on 0300 123 7052 is available 9-5 Monday to Friday.

▪ In the period 22-28 September, 78 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the BCP area, and 29 cases in the Dorset Council area.

Across England the cases per 100,000 in the same period were 55.1, with 19.7 in the BCP area and 7.7 in Dorset Council area.