A new variant of coronavirus accounted for more than half of all South West infections in the community during one week this month.
Researchers found between January 11 and 17, 55% people who tested positive for Covid in our region, outside of hospitals, had the mutated virus.
The analysis produced by University of Oxford, found London and the South East still had the highest numbers of the new strain, with 70 per cent and 69 per cent respectively.
Yorkshire and The Humber had the lowest, with 36 per cent.
These statistics refer to infections reported in the community, and exclude hospital data.
The research was published on the Office for National Statistic's website, saying: "In England, trends in new variant compatible positives varied substantially by region.
"At the national level it is likely that the number of people testing positive for the new variant compatible and all other positives has decreased in the week ending 16 January 2021."
The new variant was first recorded in Kent in September and is thought to be up to 70 per cent more infectious.
Cases in Bristol have remained high throughout mid-January, with daily infections ranging between 358 to 310.
Gloucester's - which had the highest infection in the county- cases have been falling in January, with daily cases ranging from 55 to 107.
Somerset and Bath's daily cases from January 11 to 17 have ranged between 500 to 401.
