DORSET'S NHS services are facing the "most serious" situation they have experienced to date.

The current impact of the pandemic across the county has been described as "unlike anything seen before" as coronavirus case numbers continue to increase.

Covid case rates for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are now “significantly higher” than the average for the south west and England, say health officials.

Public health authority Public Health Dorset said while cases have risen again across the county in the past week, the increase “continues to be steeper” across the BCP Council area.

Bournemouth Echo:

In an update issued on Friday, Public Health Dorset said: “Cases have risen again across the county over the last week, although the increase continues to be steeper in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area. Case rates in the BCP Council area are now significantly higher than both the South West region and England average rates.

“Hospital admissions have continued to increase. The situation across Dorset is not like anything we have seen before and the most serious our local NHS services have faced. The single most important thing everyone can do is to stay home.”

Read more: Dorset records more than 900 new coronavirus cases in latest daily update

In the BCP area, more than 1,000 new cases were recorded compared to the previous week.
Between January 3 and 9, 3,524 cases were confirmed across the area compared to 2,400 previously.

Read more: 100 more Covid patients in Bournemouth and Poole hospitals in five days

The rate per 100,000 people has risen from 607.1 to 891.4.

During the same period, the average rate for England was 622.3 and 390.1 for the south west. 

In Dorset, the number of cases has increased slightly from 1,171 to 1,261 with the rate rising from 309.4 to 333.2.

The number of Covid patients in hospital beds across Dorset increased from 272 to 452.

Read more: More than 450 Covid patients in hospital across Dorset

Public Health Dorset added: “It remains crucial that if you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, you must self-isolate at home immediately with other members of your household and book yourself a test. You must all stay at home whilst you wait for the result to prevent possibly spreading the virus to others.

Read more: BIC Covid vaccine centre taking shape (but opening date remains unconfirmed)

“The health and care system in Dorset has been working extremely hard to deliver the COVID-19 vaccination programme to local people. We are delivering the vaccine in line with the national guidance which means those people who are most at risk will be invited first. The NHS will get in touch when it’s your turn to be vaccinated, please don’t contact your GP or local hospital to seek a vaccine.”

For all our coronavirus stories, see bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/coronavirus/