A TOTAL of 17,276 people had been confirmed as testing positive for Covid-19 in Somerset West and Taunton when the UK coronavirus daily dashboard was updated on November 19 (Friday).

As well as an increase of 54 cases since earlier in the week, there has also been one Covid related death recorded.

The rate of infection in Somerset West and Taunton now stands at 11,116 cases per 100,000 people, far lower than the England average of 14,644.

Across the UK, the number of recorded cases increased by 44,237 over the period, to 9,766,153.

There was also one more coronavirus death recorded in the latest 24-hour period in Somerset West and Taunton.

The dashboard shows 227 people had died in the area by November 19 (Friday) – up from 226 on Thursday.

It means there have been four deaths in the past week, which is an increase on two the previous week.

They were among 7,890 deaths recorded across the South West.

The figures include anyone who died within 28 days of a positive test result for Covid-19, and whose usual residence was in Somerset West and Taunton.

Daily death counts are revised each day, with each case backdated to the actual date of death.