THE number of cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 in the south west is rising.

New data from Public Health England (PHE) shows cases in the UK up to June 30 have risen by 50,824 since last week, to a total of 161,981, an increase of 46%.

The Delta variant currently accounts for approximately 95% of cases that are sequenced across the UK.

Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “Cases across the UK continue to rise and it is incredibly important that we do not forget to be careful.

"The best thing we can do to protect ourselves and the people we love is to get the vaccine if eligible, get tested twice a week and practice “hands, face, space, fresh air” at all times.

“Although cases are rising, we are not seeing a proportional rise in the number of people who are being admitted to hospital.

"The data suggest this is testament to the success of the vaccination programme so far and clearly demonstrates the importance of getting both doses of the vaccine.

"Come forward as soon as you are eligible. It will help us to break the chain of transmission, and it will save lives.”

Here are the total number of cases per district in Somerset:

Bath and North East Somerset: 220

Mendip: 32

North Somerset: 185

Sedgemoor: 64

Somerset West and Taunton: 52

South Somerset: 48