Cornwall continues to have the third highest number of cases of the Delta variant in the south west, reporting figures well above areas such as Dorset, Cheltenham and Wiltshire.

However, the rate of new cases appears to have slowed down, with Cornwall reporting only 154 new incidents of it in the last week after a huge rise the previous week that saw cases jump tenfold.

There have been a total of 547 cases of the variant recorded in the Duchy now, up to Wednesday this week (June 30).

Last week saw the number jump from 42 cases in the week to June 16 up to 393 cases during the following seven days to June 23.

Cornwall had started the month with only five cases up to June 9.

Cornwall remains behind Bristol, which has recorded 1,025 Delta cases, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole that have had 710.

Devon, which is broken down into ten separate reporting areas, has seen a higher percentage rise than Cornwall this week and now has a combined 500 cases of the variant, compared to 272 cases up to last week.

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Public Health England's weekly Covid-19 variant cases data show that numbers of the Delta variant in the UK have risen by 50,824 since last week to a total of 161,981 – a 46% increase. Of these, 42 were the so called 'Delta plus' sub-variant.

The Delta variant currently accounts for approximately 95% of cases that have been reported 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.”

The total number of Delta variant cases in each local authority in the south west, up to June 30, is:

Bath and North East Somerset 220

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 710

Bristol, City of 1025

Cheltenham 223

Cornwall 547

Cotswold 73

Dorset 301

East Devon 43

Exeter 127

Forest of Dean 64

Gloucester 303

Mendip 32

Mid Devon 42

North Devon 29

North Somerset 185

Plymouth 96

Sedgemoor 64

Somerset West and Taunton 52

South Gloucestershire 357

South Hams 22

South Somerset 48

Stroud 96

Swindon 184

Teignbridge 56

Tewkesbury 172

Torbay 35

Torridge 39

West Devon 11

Wiltshire 394