Delta variant cases soar in the South West - including in Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth

  • Director of Public Health South West Debbie Stark speaks on Covid in the region

There are now more than 12,000 confirmed cases of the Delta variant in the West Country – an increase of almost 50 per cent from the past week.

The hardest-hit city in the region is Plymouth where cases have more than doubled to 427 in just seven days (130 per cent increase).

Elsewhere, cases have doubled in South Hams (86) and have increased by 99 per cent in Torbay, where the council urged caution amid rising case numbers.

The number of positive infections in Cornwall has risen up to 1,384 (45 per cent increase) while Bristol now has 2,517 confirmed cases (46 per cent increase).

Wiltshire has the third highest number of cases (945), followed by South Gloucestershire (930).

Scroll down for a breakdown by area.

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'If someone else is told to self-isolate that would be an absolute catastrophe'

The rising figures have led to a record number of people being told to self-isolate by the NHS Covid-19 app this week.

Debbie Stark, Director of Public Health South West, warned measures still need to be taken to limit the spread of coronavirus spreading further.

She said: "I think in terms of fortitude, we need to accept that we are not in a position where we can say there is no risk.

"You can protect yourself and other people by continuing to wash your hands, cover your face with a mask, try to be out in the fresh air, making sure you’ve been double vaccinated, and taking up that offer of vaccination."

Local councillors and MPs discussed the easing of restrictions in The West Country Debate, along with housing crisis and racism.

The breakdown of confirmed Delta cases in the South West (as of July 14):

  • Bath and North East Somerset: 537 - up from 344 (+56%)

  • Bristol, City of: 2,517 - up from 1,725 (+46%)

  • Cheltenham: 444 - up from 360 (+23%)

  • Cornwall: 1,384 - up from 953 (+45%)

  • Cotswold: 172 - up from 114 (+51%)

  • Dorset: 533 - up from 450 (+18%)

  • East Devon: 151 - up from 90 (+68%)

  • Exeter: 364 - up from 260 (+40%)

  • Forest of Dean: 135 - up from 97 (+39%)

  • Gloucester: 648 - up from 511 (+27%)

  • Mendip: 112 - up from 65 (+72%)

  • Mid Devon: 110 - up from 66 (+67%)

  • North Devon: 94 - up from 57 (+65%)

  • North Somerset: 589 - up from 351 (+68%)

  • Plymouth: 427 - up from 186 (+130%)

  • Sedgemoor: 164 - up from 109 (+50%)

  • Somerset West and Taunton: 153 - up from 101 (+51%)

  • South Gloucestershire: 930 - up from 600 (+55%)

  • South Hams: 86 - up from 43 (+100%)

  • South Somerset: 126 - up from 79 (+59%)

  • Stroud: 283 - up from 194 (+46%)

  • Swindon: 380 - up from 249 (+53%)

  • Teignbridge: 162 - up from 89 (+82%)

  • Tewkesbury: 404 - up from 314 (+29%)

  • Torbay: 177 - up from 89 (+99%)

  • Torridge: 69 - up from 55 (+25%)

  • West Devon: 29 - up from 17 (+71%)

  • Wiltshire: 945 - up from 715 (+32%)