THE total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Somerset has risen to 152.

That represents an increase of 17 cases since the figures recorded by Public Health England on Wednesday.

PHE says there have been 21 deaths in the area covered by Somerset County Council.

Across the UK as a whole, there have been 65,077 reported cases, with 54,554 in England, 4,957 in Scotland, 4,089 in Wales and 1,477 in Northern Ireland.