THE number of positive Covid-19 tests in Somerset continues to remain low compared to previous weeks.

There were 85 new confirmed cases of the disease in the latest 24-hour period in the county council area.

Of those, 27 were in South Somerset, where there have been 4,759 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic.

Somerset West and Taunton had 18 positive tests in a day (overall total 5,543).

Sedgemoor saw 31 new confirmed cases (total 4,734).

And Mendip had nine positive tests (total 3,091).

The county council area has now seen a total of 18,127 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic.

The rate of infection per 100,000 people based on the latest rolling seven-day figures was 110.5 in South Somerset, down from the previous day's 111.1.

Also down was Somerset West and Taunton, where the latest rate is 165.7, down from 167.6.

The Sedgemoor rate was slightly up to 169.7, previously 168.9.

And Mendip was also up to 96.9 from 94.3.