THE number of daily positive Covid-19 tests in Somerset appear to be on a downward trend.

The number of new confirmed cases in the county yesterday (Sunday) was 139, one of the lowest 24-hour totals of the year so far.

While the figures are encouraging, there should be some caution as they tend to be lower at the weekend due to the data submitted to the Government.

The new cases reported in figures released this afternoon were 29 in South Somerset, which has now seen 4,476 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic.

There were 60 positive tests in Somerset West and Taunton (overall total 5,192).

Sedgemoor saw 32 new confirmed cases (total 4,416).

And there were 18 positive tests in Mendip (overall 2,929).

The county council area has now recorded an overall total of 17,013 confirmed cases of the virus since the start of the pandemic.

The infection rate based on the latest rolling seven-day figures has dipped in all four districts.

South Somerset's rate is 189.5 per 100,000 if population (down from 195.4 the previous day); SWT is 255.9 (down from 261.6); Sedgemoor is 190.8 (down from 210.3); and Mendip is 178.2 (down from 180).

No deaths were reported in the county in the daily figures issued by the Government.