THE Covid case rate across Dorset has remained below the south west and England average, according to the latest data.

Figures released by Public Health Dorset show in the seven days to May 22, the rate in the BCP area was 7.3 per 100,000 people and 5.0 in wider Dorset.

During the same period, the rate was 9.0 in the south west and 23.6 in England.

Bournemouth Echo:

A Public Health Dorset spokesperson said: “This week we have continued to see low 7-day case rates across the Dorset Council and BCP Council areas. Both council areas are below the South West average and the England average.

“We have not seen any further deaths within 28 days of a positive test, and there are currently five patients with COVID-19 in hospitals across Dorset.”

A total of 29 cases were recorded in the BCP area with 19 in Dorset.

The previous week, the rate in the BCP area was 8.9 with 35 cases recorded with 20 cases in Dorset, giving a rate of 5.3.