THE coronavirus growth rate has increased slightly in the south west, new figures published by the government show.

The growth rate, meaning the rate the virus is increasing, has changed from between minus six per cent to plus one per cent to between minus six per cent and plus two per cent.

The reproduction number, referred to as R, has also crept up slightly, with a range of 0.7 to 1.1.

The figures are published by the Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).

In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, R increased from 0.8 in the seven days to July 3 to 1.5 in the seven days to July 10.

Meanwhile, the rate across the Dorset Council region has increased from 1.3 to 1.8.

The government office for science and sage say that in some regions the low case numbers and/or a high degree of variability in transmission across the region means the estimates are insufficiently robust to inform policy decisions.

Across England, the growth rate is between minus four per cent and zero, compared with between minus four per cent to minus one per cent last week.

The R value across England is 0.8-1.0.