Covid cases continue to rise
SINCE the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions on February 24, the Somerset West and Taunton area has seen a dramatic rise in the number of new coronavirus cases.
According to the latest statistics, between March 3-9, 1,222 people had a confirmed positive test result. This shows an increase in infection rates of 60.6 per cent compared to the previous seven days.
Between March 1-7, 1,144 people were admitted to hospital with the disease - an increase of 35.4 per cent compared to the previous seven days.
Some 923 patients were in hospital with coronavirus on March 9, with 17 patients in hospital beds with a mechanical ventilator. Several wards at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton are shut due to the virus.
There have been 133,455 cases across Somerset since the start of the pandemic and 1,082 deaths.
To encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to get their jabs, walk-in vaccination centres will operate at Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross, on Wednesday, March 23, from 11.30am to 3.30pm, and at Wiveliscombe Community Hall on Wednesdays March 16 and March 30 - from 2-6pm.
In West Somerset the case rates per 100,000 people for the seven–day period ending on March 4 were:
n Bishops Lydeard and Cotford St Luke (includes West Bagborough, Lower Stoford, Halse, Combe Florey, Chapel Leigh, Lydeard St Lawrence, Tolland)
51 new cases - up 20
n Dunster, Dulverton and Exmoor (includes Wootton Courtenay, Timberscombe, Cutcombe, Wheddon Cross, Luckwell Bridge, Winsford, Exton, Brompton Regis, Bury, Brushford, Liscombe, Knaplock, Hawkridge, Exford, Newland, Chibbet, Blackland, Landacre, Weathersade,
Withypool,Simonsbath)
21 new cases - no change
n Minehead town (includes Alcombe)
53 new cases - up 23
30 new cases - up 10
n Cannnington, Combwich & Nether Stowey (includes Spaxton, Charlynch, Over Stowey, Fiddington, Whitnell, Keenthorne, Bincombe, Halsey Cross, Friarn, Adscombe, Aisholt)
32 - down 6
n Watchet, Washford and Carhampton (including Withycombe, Blue Anchor Rodhuish, Old Cleeve, Bilbrook)
40 new cases - up 11
n Williton, Quantocks and Stogursey (includes Shurton , Burton, Lilstock,Kilton, Stringston, East Quantoxhead, Kilve, Holford, West Quantoxhead, Bicknoller, Higher and Lower Halsway, Chilcombe, Crowcombe, Nedwton, Sampford Brett, Wolston, Vellow, Capton, Stogumber, Handhill, Higher Vexford, Elworthy, Combe Sydenham, Monksilver, Woodford, Yarde, Nettlecombe, Hungerford, Torre, Golsoncott, Roadwater, Stamborough, Leighland, Treborough, Clatworthy, Huish Champflower, Upton, Skilgate Luxborough, Pooltown)
24 new cases - no change
n Wiveliscombe and Milverton (includes Flitzhead, Langley,Preston Bowyer, Batghealton, Hartswell, Waterrow, Stawley, Ashbrittle, Kittisford, Chipstable)
38 new cases - up 11