THE number of positive coronavirus cases in Somerset has risen to 54, new figures from Public Health England reveal.

The figure, published on Tuesday, March 31 is up by eight on Monday's total.

This is the number of people who have been tested and found positive, it is thought the overall number of people infected will be significantly higher.

Another patient has died at a Somerset hospital after testing positive for Covid-19.

READ MORE: Somerset patient dies after positive Covid-19 result

NHS England has confirmed in its announcement today (March 31) that a patient within the Weston Area Health NHS Trust died on March 23 after contracting the virus.

Across the UK there has been a sharp rise in the number of deaths from coronavirus, with the total up by 393 to 1,808.