THERE were 263 confirmed positive Covid tests in Somerset West and Taunton in the latest Government figures reported today (Friday, January 7).

In the week between January 1 and today, 1,952 people tested positive for the virus, an increase of 27.3 per cent on the previous seven day period.

By yesterday (January 6):

  • 128,843 people had been given a first dose of the vaccine;
  • 120,711 people had received a second dose;
  • 97,432 people had been given a booster or third dose.

Across the South West, 140 people with coronavirus went into hospital on Wednesday (January 5).

Between December 30 and January 5, 953 people in the region went into hospital with coronavirus, an increase of 19.1 per cent compared to the previous seven days.

There were 867 patients in hospital in the South West with coronavirus today (Friday), of which 54 are on a mechanical ventilator.

The was one death of a person testing positive for Covid within the previous 28 days in Somerset West and Taunton in the first week of 2022.