THE number of Delta variant cases of coronavirus in Dorset have reached the 1,000 mark and the county has the second highest number of cases in the South West.

Public Health England’s weekly Covid-19 variant cases data show that numbers of the Delta (VOC-21APR-02) variant in the UK have risen by 50,824 since last week to a total of 161,981. The most recent data shows 95 per cent of sequenced and genotyped cases across the country are the Delta variant.

According to Public Health England’s latest figures, as of June 30, show that 1,011 cases of the Delta variant have been recorded across Dorset so far.

BCP Council area has reported 710 cases of the variant while Dorset Council has seen 301 people test positive for the Delta variant.

The number of Delta variant cases of coronavirus in Dorset has increased by more than 300, after 732 cases were reported last week. PHE previously reported how BCP area had 508 Delta cases while Dorset Council area had 224 cases.

Dorset, which includes both BCP Council area and Dorset Council, currently has the second highest number of Delta variant cases in the South West, while Bristol has reported 1,025 cases.

Plea to get tested for Covid-19 and receive vaccine

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive at UK Health Security Agency said: “Cases across the UK continue to rise and it is incredibly important that we do not forget to be careful.

"The best thing we can do to protect ourselves and the people we love is to get the vaccine if eligible, get tested twice a week and practice “hands, face, space, fresh air” at all times.

“Although cases are rising, we are not seeing a proportional rise in the number of people who are being admitted to hospital. The data suggest this is testament to the success of the vaccination programme so far and clearly demonstrates the importance of getting both doses of the vaccine.

"Come forward as soon as you are eligible. It will help us to break the chain of transmission, and it will save lives.”