It is "too early to say" whether the new coronavirus variant is behind the recent spike in Wiltshire cases, the local public health director has said.

The new mutation of the virus, reported to be 70 per cent more transmissible, was originally identified in London and the South East. However, scientists now say it has since spread "everywhere".

It is the reason why festive celebrations have been dramatically scaled back to Christmas Day only.

Has the new variant made it into Wiltshire?

The simple answer from Wiltshire Council's public health director is: we don't know yet.

ONS data, Kate Blackburn said, shows that 25 per cent of positive test results in the South West are linked to the new variant.

However, there is a caveat. This is based on "small sample numbers" and the confidence interval around it is "large".

Coronavirus cases in the Wiltshire Council area have risen sharply in the past week but at this stage, it's impossible to say whether that is due to the virus mutation.

Mrs Blackburn added: "We are seeing our numbers increase again but they're not increasing as rapidly as we're seeing in the South East.

"I think it's too soon [to say] and we are still waiting for information from PHE (Public Health England) labs as to how much of the percentage of cases within Wiltshire are a part of the new variant."

So why are cases going up?

The three-week decline in cases and rates was always expected, Mrs Blackburn said, as this was the result of the four-week national lockdown in November.

Explaining why numbers are increasing is a bit more complicated.

It is claimed Tier 2 rules, if followed by the vast majority, are expected to keep case rates at the same level as opposed to reduce them.

However, given this has not happened, it might mean tougher restrictions, such as Tier 3 or Tier 4 rules, are needed, Mrs Blackburn said.

What about Christmas?

Christmas bubbles of up to three households are still allowed to meet on Christmas Day, though Wiltshire residents who have friends and family in Tier 4 areas are asked not to travel.

Overall, Mrs Blackburn has urged caution - regardless of the new variant.

Her message to the public is: "Whether it's the new variant or not, the best way to stay safe and the best way of reducing the risk of passing the virus onto your friends, family, community is to stick to the guidance.

"Really think about the social distancing and think carefully about what you're doing on Christmas Day and who you choose to meet with."