Overlooking Portland. Picture: Michael Taylor 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.
Coronavirus R Rate for South West changes again as Dorset remains in Tier 2 THE R rate in the South West has increased again as medical and council figures in Dorset have warned people not to be complacent and follow social distancing measures. The fresh data, which has been released by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) on Wednesday, December 23 rates the ability to spread Covid-19 and the number of people that one infected person will pass the virus on to, on average. The updated R rate for the South West is now between 1.0 - 1.2, which is slightly lower than the latest R number range for the UK of 1.1 - 1.3.
Weymouth town centre. Picture: Michael Taylor DORSET will remain in Tier 2 following Matt Hancock s announcement that some areas will move Tiers - but medical and councils have warned people not to be complacent. Health Secretary announced tougher measures for large parts of southern and eastern England after a newly discovered variant of coronavirus was spreading at a “dangerous rate” with rising cases on Wednesday, December 23. He also said cases of another new mutant coronavirus linked to South Africa have been found in the UK and placed travel restrictions on the country. Dorset, which includes Dorset Council and BCP Council, remains in Tier 2 despite also reporting rising Covid-19 cases across the county. But, the Government’s criteria for Tier allocations will be closely monitored over the coming days and weeks.