THE number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose across Somerset last week.
Somerset’s districts saw increases in the number of people with positive test results ranging from 0.1% (Somerset West and Taunton) to 45.3% (North Somerset), according to the latest Government statistics.
13 people died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test in Somerset last week.
Despite an overall rise in the number of coronavirus cases in the UK, the health secretary says the country can have a “normal Christmas” this year if we “just keep playing our part”.
Sajid Javid said this morning on BBC Breakfast: “What we know about this virus is that it’s unpredictable and I don’t think any sensible health secretary across the world would want to predict exactly where we are going to be in three months’ time or six months’ time, not least because there’s always a risk of a variant which could be more dangerous.
“For all of those people like me who are hoping and planning for a normal Christmas – I think that’s where we’ll be, if we keep playing our part.”
On LBC Radio, he added: "We all want a fantastic Christmas and we can ensure that by getting out there and getting our vaccines."
Mr Javid also said it is not necessary to introduce Plan B measures “at this point”.
Plan B would include mandatory mask-wearing in some settings, Covid passports, and advice to work from home.
However, Professor Peter Openshaw, a scientist advising the Government, says the Government must “act soon” to stem the spread of Covid and prevent another Christmas spent in lockdown.
He said: "We know that with public health measures the time to act is immediately.
“There's no point in delaying.
“If you do delay, then you need to take even more stringent actions later."
The UK recorded 39,962 coronavirus cases yesterday and a further 72 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.
Last week (Monday, October 18 to Sunday, October 24) 328,287 people in the UK had a confirmed positive test result – a 9.4% increase compared to the previous week.
Overall, Government figures show there have been 8.7 million confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK and more than 139,000 people have died within 28 days of a positive test.
86% of people aged 12 or over have had their first dose of a vaccine and 79% have had their second.
Over five million people in England have now had a booster dose of a vaccine.
In the south west, 576,427 people have received their booster dose, according to data published yesterday.
In Somerset’s districts, the number of recorded Covid cases increased last week (Monday, October 18 to Sunday, October 24).
Here is the breakdown of the latest statistics in each district.
VACCINE NEWS:
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) October 24, 2021
More than 325,000 booster jabs were given in England yesterday.
That’s our biggest day yet - thank you to everyone who came forward and all those delivering the rollout.#GetBoosted
Somerset West and Taunton
1,339 people in the district had a confirmed positive test result last week, showing a small increase of 0.1% compared to the previous seven days.
Two people in the district died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test last week – down from five in the previous seven days.
No deaths within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus were reported yesterday.
Sedgemoor
922 people had a confirmed positive test result in Sedgemoor last week.
This shows an increase of 15.1% compared to the previous week.
One person died in the district within 28 days of a positive test last week – the same as in the previous seven days.
There were no deaths reported within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus in Sedgemoor yesterday.
South Somerset
1,235 people had a confirmed positive test result in South Somerset last week.
That figure is 12.5% higher than the previous seven days.
One person died within 28 days of a positive test last week.
That is one fewer death than was recorded in the previous week.
Zero deaths within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus were reported in South Somerset yesterday.
North Somerset
Last week, 1,964 people had a confirmed positive test result in North Somerset.
This marks an increase of 45.3% compared to the previous seven days.
Four people died in the district last week – the same as were recorded in the previous seven days.
No deaths within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus were reported in the district yesterday.
Mendip
1,169 people in Mendip had a confirmed positive test result last week.
This shows an increase of 22.7% from the previous seven days.
Two people died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test in the district last week – one fewer than in the previous seven days.
No deaths within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus were reported yesterday in the Mendip district.
Bath and North East Somerset
1,977 people had a confirmed positive test result in the district last week – an increase of 17.5% compared to the previous seven days.
Three people died in Bath and North East Somerset last week within 28 days of a positive test.
In the previous week, one person had died.
No deaths were reported within 28 days of a postive coronavirus test yesterday.
For last week’s data, click HERE.
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