THE Covid infection rate has almost doubled in a week on on Somerset district, according to the latest official figures.

Sedgemoor saw 641 new confirmed cases of the virus in the week to last Thursday (August 12).

That represented an infection rate of 520.4 cases per 100,000 people.

It compares to the previous week of 324 positive tests at a rate of 263 per 100,000 - an increase of 257.4 in just seven days.

The number of new cases rose in the other three districts, although not so steeply.

Mendip had 281 positive tests (infection rate 243.1 per 100,000) up to last Thursday - up from 253 cases (rate 218.9 per 100,000 the previous week).

Somerset West and Taunton had 417 new confirmed cases in the week to August 12 with an infection rate of 268.4 per 100,000.

And South Somerset recorded 389 new confirmed cases (231 per 100,000) in the seven days to last Thusrday - up from 331 (196.6 per 100,000) the previous week

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: