Latest coronavirus update from B&NES public health chief confirms numbers are up

Dr Bruce Laurence, director of Public Health for Bath & North East Somerset has confirmed that the area has had ten confirmed cases in the last three days and 24 in the last seven days – what he calls " a jump " from the previous week.

He has added in a statement : " There is no escaping the fact that quite quickly the virus could rip and put many at risk – particularly the vulnerable and elderly.

"To avoid this we each have to take responsibility for not increasing this risk. That means we have to think about others as well as ourselves. It means following the hands, face, space advice; following the new rules on face coverings and the rule of six.

"We must also take seriously the need to break the chain and that means despite frustrations get tested if you have Covid symptoms. You must self-isolate rigorously if you have the illness or are identified as a contact.

"We have already had cases in two local schools this week....I want to stress again that we must not be complacent, or we could easily see further rising numbers in coming weeks."

In other coronavirus news the NHS Covid-19 contact-tracing app has been officially rolled out today.

The app has a number of functions:

- it tracks time and distance between smartphones and will alert you if you've been near other app users who have tested positive for coronavirus

- it enables you to check into venues such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants and hairdressers and be alerted if you have come into contact with coronavirus there.

However as reported on Midsomer Nub News this functionality wasn't working when we used it as we went into Wetherspoons in Midsomer Norton for lunch.

Meanwhile the temporary Covid-19 mobile testing facility at Paulton has now closed. However, residents can still book a test at the mobile testing unit at Odd Down Park and Ride.

Testing is only available by appointment.