DORSET has a new coronavirus ‘hotspot’, according to an interactive map.

East Southbourne and Hengistbury Head has been identified as having a rolling rate of 423.2 per 100,000 people.

Bournemouth Echo:

The number of cases has risen by 26 new infections from just nine to 35 in the space of a week.

Previously, Boscombe West had the highest rolling rate across the conurbation. 

In the seven days ending December 24, the BCP area recorded 887 new cases compared to 576 the previous week.

The rolling rate was 224.4, up from 145.7.

In wider Dorset, 468 people tested positive during the same period, compared to 286 previously.

The rolling rate was 123.6, up from 75.6.

The map uses data from Public Health England to show potential virus "hotspots" in the country.

It is divided into Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs), which are areas with an average population of 7,200.

The map colour-codes MSOAs depending on their seven day rolling rate, with areas placed into the boundaries of 0-10, 11-50, 51-100, 101-200, 201-400, 400 to 799 and 800 plus.

Places with a high MSOA rate appear on the map in purple.

Across the conurbation, the number of cases has risen with many areas that were shaded green or light blue now appearing in dark blue.

Branksome Park, Canford Cliffs & Sandbanks has reported 15 new cases taking the total to 29 with a case rate of 323.8.

West Cliff has reported 21 new cases with 31 overall, giving a rate of 391.0.

Central Bournemouth has 42 cases after an increase of 16 and a rate of 323.3.

East Cliff now has a rate of 303.2 after recording 26 new cases taking the total to 39.

Meanwhile, Boscombe West has 41 cases and a rate of 385.1.

Southbourne West has 29 cases in total after a rise of 14 and a rate of 335.1.

Further afield, Bere Regis & Lytchett Matravers has 18 cases with a rate of 304.1.

Mudeford has 18 cases and a rate of 280.5.

Parkstone has 27 cases after a rise of 19 with a rate of 281.8.

Only Milborne, Winterborne & Okeford Fitzpaine recorded few than three cases during the period.

At the end of start of December, 49 areas across Dorset recorded five cases or fewer. 

Other places with low case numbers and rates up to December 24, included Ferndown West & Canford Bottom with six cases and a rate of 91.7, Throop and Muscliffe with nine cases and a rate of 98.5 and Bovington, Wool & Lulworth with just five cases and a rate of 56.4.

The whole of the county is currently under Tier 2 measures.

Today Matt Hancock will announce which areas will be moved into higher tiers in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

You can view the map here.