COVID-related deaths continue to rise as infection rates across the BCP area remain above the England and south west average, public health offiials have said. 

Public Health Dorset said although Covid case rates for the BCP Council and Dorset Council areas have decreased, they are not falling quickly.

The health authority said despite hospital admissions levelling off, NHS services are still under “significant pressure” with outbreaks in care homes also being seen.

Latest figures show between January 17 and 23, the BCP Council area recorded 2,342 cases with a rate per 100,000 people of 592.4.

During the same period, the Dorset Council area had 1,001 cases and a rate of 264.5.

Bournemouth Echo:

The previous seven days, the BCP area had 3,138 cases and a rate of 793.8, with 1,175 cases and a rate of 310.4 in wider Dorset.

A spokesperson for Public Health Dorset said: “Local infection rates have fallen again this week but they are not falling quickly and are still at high levels.

“The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area now has the 15th highest infection rate out of all local authorities in the UK.

“The BCP rate (592.4) is still a lot higher than the average rates for England (373.2) and the South West (247.9). The Dorset Council rate (264.5) is also higher than the South West average.

“Hospital admissions have levelled off but local NHS services are still under significant pressure and we are also seeing outbreaks in care settings across Dorset. Sadly these factors mean COVID-related deaths continue to rise.”

The number of people being treated in hospital with Covid has decreased slightly from 552 to 537.

On vaccinations, the health authority said that up to January 24, 110,737 doses had been administered to people in Dorset with 83.7% of over 80s receiving their first dose.