A PUBLIC health expert from Swindon Borough Council blamed the new coronavirus variant and social contact between other people for the town's sharp rise in confirmed cases.
The number of new positive Covid-19 cases in the borough more than doubled between Christmas and New Year which prompted the government to implement tougher Tier 4 restrictions.
SBC public health consultant Katie Currie told BBC Points West: “I think it’s very likely that some of our rise is linked to the new variant.
"We are being told it’s all across England. We have seen our increase go up very quickly, which would be what we expect with the new variant.
"But we also need to recognise that it’s probably also due to social contact where people pass Covid from one person to another.”
The test centre in Wroughton is open and there are tests available.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here