Dorset placed on 'Amber Alert' for Covid-19

An amber alert has been issued by the Dorset Covid-19 Health Protection Board.

It's due to the rising number of cases in the county.

We're being urged to "take action now, follow the rules at all times and prevent the spread of the virus."

The Board say "If we don't do this we are at risk of being placed in the high category (tier 2) restrictions, which would mean households would be banned from mixing in indoor settings."

Following the national announcement on local COVID alert levels earlier this week, both Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council areas are currently placed in the medium category (tier 1).

Below are details given by the Dorset Covid-19 Health Protection about how Dorset is doing in different sectors when it comes to combating the virus.

Hospitalisations

We are being told there have been a few hospital admissions throughout the last month across the county, but this has started to increase over the last week.

The Board say this is to be expected given the increase in case numbers we are now seeing.

Care homes

The Dorset Covid-19 Health Protection Board say we are continuing to see positive cases in a number of care homes identified through routine whole care home testing.

We are being told these are monitored closely working with partners in adult social care, NHS Dorset CCG and the care homes themselves to ensure all necessary measures are being taken.

Schools

The Dorset Covid-19 Health Protection Board say we continue to see cases associated with schools reported in both the Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council areas.

Schools with confirmed positive cases communicate directly with parents and carers regarding any actions that need to be taken and any changes to school provision.

The Board says all close contacts of confirmed cases are contacted and advised to self-isolate, so other members of the school community do not need to self-isolate and should not get tested unless specifically directed to do so.

Universities

The Dorset Covid-19 Health Protection Board say we are continuing to see a number of positive cases amongst university students in the Bournemouth area, as is to be expected.

At the moment these cases are dispersed across the student population and different residences.

Currently the number of cases amongst students in Bournemouth continues to be relatively low compared to elsewhere in the UK but the Dorset COVID-19 Health Protection Board are working with universities, BCP Council and Public Health England South West to monitor the situation and respond accordingly.