FOUR areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have case rates above 1,000 cases per 100,000 people. 

An interactive map on the government website shows Bearwood, Penn Hill, Newtown and Westcliff all have an MSOA rate above 1,000 per 100,000 people in the seven days to January 5, 2021. 

During the same period, 3099 cases were recorded across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The rolling rate for the area is 783.9.

The seven-day average rolling rate for England is 650.9.

The map, which can be viewed here, uses data from Public Health England to show potential virus "hotspots" in the country.

According to the map, there are currently a total of 22 'hotspots' across Dorset with case rates above 800 infections per 100,000 people. 

Bournemouth Echo:

The map 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 (400 to 799) or dark purple (800 plus).

The 22 areas which are deemed 'hotspots' across Dorset are:

Bearwood – 74 cases, rate 1,346.7

Penn Hill – 114 cases, rate 1,135.1

Newtown – 115 cases, rate 1,054.3

West Cliff – 87 cases, rate 1,097.2

East Southbourne & Hengistbury Head – 82 cases, rate 991.5

Merley – 61 cases, rate 989.3

Jumpers Common & Fairmile – 81 cases, rate 980.6

Townsend & Strouden – 64 cases, rate 975.5

Oakdale East – 88 cases, rate 970.3

Oakdale West – 80 cases, rate 960.6

Westbourne – 55 cases, rate 935.5

Southbourne West – 78 cases, rate 901.3

Central Bournemouth – 117 cases, rate 900.7

Queens Park – 78 cases, rate 900.0

Sturminster Marshall & Crichel – 55 cases, rate 893.6

Charminster – 71 cases, rate 886.7

Springbourne & Queen's Park – 81 cases, rate 877.6

Branksome East – 54 cases, rate 860.6

Northbourne – 68 cases, rate 852.

Canford Heath West – 57 cases, rate 847.1

Talbot & Branksome Woods – 57 cases, rate 819.4

Moordown – 66 cases, rate 815.2

A third national lockdown was introduced on January 5 with people urged to 'stay at home'

Over the weekend, almost 1,000 people tested positive for Covid-19 across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole