Please find below the latest COVID-19 briefing from Public Health Dorset.
Overall assurance statement | Currently BCP and Dorset Councils are experiencing low numbers of cases compared with many other Councils in England. The current risk of a second peak is currently considered LOW. |
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Cases in BCP Council in past 5 days | 3 (0.8 cases per 100,000; regional rate is 1.1 cases per 100,000; England rate, 2.8 per 100,000) |
Cases in Dorset Council in past 5 days | 4 (1.1 cases per 100,000; regional rate is 1.1 cases per 100,000; England rate, 2.8 per 100,000) |
Key messages and themes |
Pillar 1 and 2 testing Additional positive test results from Pillar 2 testing – the tests for the general public with COVID symptoms – have been added to the national dashboards. This resulted in an apparent jump in numbers of COVID cases for each Council. They are historic cases, not new cases. Dorset Council is now showing as having had a cumulative total of 605 cases, and BCP Council, 817 cases. It does not change the assessment of current risks due to COVID, as the surveillance data included in this briefing (cases in the past 5 days) is from both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 testing. R number The national R number is published weekly and is currently between 0.7 and 0.9. The Government also publishes regional estimates now on the same page. This currently shows that the value for R for the South West is within the range 0.7 to 1.1. This does not change our current assessment of risk because of the low number of cases in our Councils and the South West compared with other regions. |
Key messages for schools | The national estimate of R is below 1, and current advice is that it is safe for schools to return as long as the guidance is followed to maintain social distancing and hygiene. |
Key messages for care homes | The number of outbreaks in care homes has fallen significantly with none in the past 7 days notified to Public Health England for BCP Council, and no outbreaks notified from homes within Dorset Council. |
Key messages for other settings | Continuing to work with multi-agency partners to prepare for further easing of lockdown measures, including opening up of hospitality sector and non-essential shops during July. Contain strategy published 17 July from Government setting out powers to be handed to Councils in the event of any outbreak, including closure of settings, and measures to require people to stay indoors. |