GOVERNMENT figures have recorded 53 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Somerset in the latest daily figures.

But officials admit the total of new cases recorded for the 24-hour period to 5pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday are "artificially high".

The issue, which was caused by the automated process that transfers positive cases data to Public Health England and effects the figures across the country, was identified overnight on Friday.

The problem, relating to specimen dates between September 25 and October 2, has since been resolved, although it has resulted in the latest two daily figures being "artificially high". But the overall totals are now correct.

For the record, the 53 positive coronavirus tests in Somerset for the 24 hours to 5pm on Saturday consist of 11 in Mendip; 10 in Sedgemoor; 18 in Somerset West and Taunton; and 14 in South Somerset.

It takes the correct overall total for the Somerset County Council area to 1,700.

The figures for the 24 hours to 5pm on Friday, when 27 new cases were reported, were also inflated.