HEALTH authorities in Dorset admitted the county's recent "significant" increase in coronavirus cases was a "concerning" trend.

Public Health Dorset officials have echoed the message of University Hospitals Dorset in calling for residents to be "vigilant".

Over the seven-day period from September 28 to October 4, the BCP Council area recorded 265 cases and the Dorset Council area recorded 93 cases. These figures were up from 78 and 29, respectively, for the previous week.

In addition, these figures do not include further positive test results reported in recent days, including 157 recorded across the county in the 24 hours up to 4pm on October 8.

A statement from Public Health Dorset said: "Over the last week we have seen a significant increase in case numbers and case rates across the Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas.

"Part of this is as a result of the national issue with a delay in cases being reported last week, which was identified over the weekend. These delays have also meant a change in how we are reporting as the most recent few days of data may continue to change."

"However, these delays do not account for all of the increase and we can see that cases are rising in both council areas, particularly in the BCP area.

"This increase is in line with the national picture and our local numbers and case rates are still much lower than some other areas of the country, but the trend is concerning and it is a reminder that we need to be vigilant.

"We would like to thank everyone for their hard work so far in limiting the spread of the virus, but it is vital that we keep up the basic measures at all times - social distancing, handwashing and self-isolation – to prevent further increases in cases and tighter restrictions."

Despite the increase in positive tests recorded, the case rates from September 28 to October 4 for the county's two council areas remain below both the south west average, 92.1 per 100,000 people, and across England, 118.1. BCP Council's rate was 67 and Dorset Council's was 24.7.

Public Health England also provided an updated assessment on care homes, schools and university settings.

Care Homes

"We are continuing to see positive cases in a number of care homes identified through routine whole care home testing. These are monitored closely working with partners in adult social care, NHS Dorset CCG and the care homes themselves to ensure all necessary measures are being taken.

"A local care home visiting policy is in place and is being reviewed at the Health Protection Board each week. Care homes with positive cases are required to pause visiting and all care homes have been asked to review their own visiting policies and practices.

"The board recognise the importance of visits for those living in care homes and with these assurances in place felt that on balance visits to care homes could continue. This position will continue to be reviewed at the Board each week.

"Likewise day services may remain open in line with national guidance and risk assessment, with further review each week."

Schools

"We continue to see cases associated with schools reported in both the Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas.

"We 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."

Universities

"We are continuing to see a number of positive cases amongst university students in the Bournemouth area, as is to be expected. At the moment these cases are dispersed across the student population and we have not seen any concerning outbreaks in particular locations or residences.

"Currently the number of cases amongst students in Bournemouth continues to be relatively low compared to elsewhere in the UK but we are working with universities, BCP Council and Public Health England South West to monitor the situation and respond accordingly.

"Universities have implemented a wide range of public health measures to reduce the risk of transmission on university sites. However we need everyone to keep playing their part, maintaining social distancing rules and other public health measures at all times to reduce the risk of spreading the virus."