CASES of the Delta coronavirus variant continue to surge in Dorset as the county has the second-highest figure 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 54,268 since last week to a total of 216,249.

This represents a 32 per cent increase. Of these, 44 are the Delta AY.1 sub lineage. The Delta variant currently accounts for approximately 99 per cent of cases that are sequenced across the UK.

According to Public Health England’s latest figures, as of July 7 the total number of cases in Dorset is 1,550.

BCP Council area has reported 11,00 cases of the variant while Dorset Council has seen 450 people test positive for the Delta variant.

It means the number of Delta variant cases of coronavirus in the county has increased by 539, after 1,011 cases were reported last week.

PHE previously reported how BCP area had 710 Delta cases while Dorset Council area had 301 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 the highest, and has reported 1,725 cases.

PHE has also published an updated Variant Technical Briefing today. It shows that secondary attack rates (the likelihood of an infection occurring in a given context) amongst household contacts of cases with Delta has continued to fall, and is estimated at 10.3 per cent for exposure events in week commencing June 7.

Despite this continued fall, secondary attack rates for both household and non-household contacts of cases with Delta remain higher than for Alpha.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency said:

“The data continues to show that the sharp increase in cases that we are seeing is not being followed by a similar increase in hospitalisation and death. This is because two doses of the available vaccines offer a high level of protection against the Delta variant. Getting both jabs is the best way to ensure you and the people you love remain safe, so we once again urge everyone to come forward as soon as they are eligible.

“As we approach the planned end of restrictions, we must remain cautious and careful. Cases are rising across the country, and whilst the vaccines offer excellent protection, they do not offer 100 per cent protection. Be sensible, and follow “hands, face, space, fresh air” at all times and make sure to get tested if required.”

Here is the list of cases for areas of the south west up until July 7 2021.

Bath and North East Somerset 344

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 1100

Bristol, City of 1725

Cheltenham 360

Cornwall 953

Cotswold 114

Dorset 450

East Devon 90

Exeter 260

Forest of Dean 97

Gloucester 511

Mendip 65

Mid Devon 66

North Devon 57

North Somerset 351

Plymouth 186

Sedgemoor 109

Somerset West and Taunton 101

South Gloucestershire 600

South Hams 43

South Somerset 79

Stroud 194

Swindon 249

Teignbridge 89

Tewkesbury 314

Torbay 89

Torridge 55

West Devon 17

Wiltshire 715