DORSET has one of the lowest rates of new coronavirus cases in the UK.

New data from Public Health England shows that there were 1.8 new cases per 100,000 people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in the seven days leading up to July 24.

That is down from 2.3 per 100,000 people the previous week.

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Coronavirus: New data on Dorset and New Forest deaths​

Dorset has a new infection rate of 1.1 cases, no change on the week before.

Figures show the New Forest has a new infection rate of 1.7, also no change from the week before.

Blackburn with Darwin had the worst rate in the county, with 75.2 new infections, but that was down from 83.9 the previous week.

Oldham saw a jump from 11.0 per 100,000 to 48.4 in the days leading up to July 24.

The figures are based on tests carried out in laboratories (pillar one of the Government’s testing programme) and in the wider community (pillar two).

The overall infection rate for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is 210.7 per 100,000 while Dorset’s is 163.1.

The average for England is 464.

The current death toll in Dorset hospitals is 156, with the last death coming on July 13.