The number of Delta variant cases in Wiltshire has risen to 126, official figures reveal.

The data is released every Friday by Public Health England.

Last week, 41 Delta variant cases had been detected in the county (excluding Swindon) which means infections linked to the new strain have increased threefold.

The rise in Delta cases is behind the decision to push back stage 4 of the Government's roadmap from June 21 to July 19.

Wiltshire Council's Public Health Consultant, Rachel Kent, said earlier this week that she expected the Delta variant to become the dominant strain across the county "within a week or two".

It is already the dominant strain across the region and the rest of the UK.

Despite the spread of this more transmissible mutation, people "shouldn't be scared" as the measures to fight the virus remain the same "whatever the variant", Mrs Kent said.

The council's public health team is encouraging residents to continue to adopt behaviours that have proved successful in curbing the spread of coronavirus, namely hand washing, mask wearing and social distancing.

Other effective measures include keeping windows open when meeting up with friends and family indoors.

Those eligible for their Covid vaccine are also invited to come forward, and those who have already had one dose are encouraged to book the second.

Wiltshire Council is also reminding members of the public to immediately self-isolate and book a test should they develop any Covid symptoms.

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