With local agencies now playing a lead role in identifying and responding to local coronavirus outbreaks, Public Health Dorset (PHD) are publishing weekly updates on their website to keep residents, businesses and partner agencies informed of the latest COVID-19 situation in the county.
The updates will include the number of cases in both the Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas over the latest 7-day period, the latest local case rates in comparison to regional and national rates, the position on key settings like care homes and schools, as well as any other key information and reminders about social distancing measures.
Published: 5 November 2020 – Overall picture in Dorset…
New national restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 came into force today, Thursday 5 November.
We are asking Dorset residents to:
– Stay at home as much as possible
– Only leave home for essential reasons like exercise, food shopping and healthcare
– Remember ‘hands, face, space’ are still critical when you do go out
– If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolate with your household immediately, book a test and remain at home with your household whilst you wait for the result.
See publichealthdorset.org.uk for more information.
Case rates remain high, particularly in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, so PHD need everyone to follow the rules during lockdown to bring these case rates down so we can return to fewer restrictions.
The number of coronavirus cases in the Dorset Council area, in the period 25-31 Oct, are 390 (previous period 18-24 Oct – 414). The case rate per 100,000 of the population for the Dorset Council area is 103.0 (previous period 110).
The number of patients with COVID-19 in hospital beds in Dorset has been rising over the past few weeks. As of 4 November 2020, there were 113 COVID-19 patients in hospital beds in Dorset. This is in comparison to 85 patients on 27 October 2020.
PHD continue to see cases associated with schools reported in the Dorset Council area. PHD have well-established processes in place to work closely with affected schools to respond to cases, ensure all necessary measures are implemented and identify and advise any close contacts to self-isolate.
SCHOOLS with confirmed positive cases communicate directly with parents and carers regarding any actions that need to be taken and any changes to school provision. All close contacts of confirmed cases are contacted and advised to self-isolate, so other members of the school community do not need to self-isolate and should not get tested unless specifically directed to do so.
