The latest regionalised weekly figures have shown that 18 people have died in the Mendip area from coronavirus-related causes.

The NHS Confederation says "tens of thousands of lives have been saved" as a result of lockdown measures, after the number of UK-wide coronavirus deaths reached its lowest weekly level for six weeks in mid-May.

But the Health Foundation think tank has called for more priority to be given to vulnerable people needing social care following "the huge loss of life" in care homes.

Office for National Statistics data shows that in Mendip, 18 deaths involving Covid-19 were provisionally registered up to May 23.

Of those, seven occurred outside hospital – including six in care homes. A further death occurred in a hospice, another community establishment or elsewhere.

It means the death toll increased by one in the latest weekly period, a smaller increase than the two seen the previous week.

The figures include deaths that occurred up to May 15 but were registered up to eight days later.

ONS figures are based on where Covid-19 is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, including in combination with other health conditions.

Across England and Wales, more than 42,000 deaths involving Covid-19 were provisionally registered up to May 23.

Of those, 3,810 were registered in the week ending May 15 – the lowest weekly total since the week ending April 3.

Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said the numbers are a "stark reminder that lockdown measures have made such a difference".

He said: "Tens of thousands of lives have been saved and that is why it is still so important to follow guidance in the coming weeks, even though that guidance will change and become nuanced."

Mr Dickson added that a second spike of infections "would be a disaster and must be avoided".

Of the deaths in England and Wales up to May 23, 65 per cent occurred in hospitals and 29 per cent in care homes.

Dr Jennifer Dixon, chief executive of the Health Foundation, said the latest figures "illustrate the huge loss of life in care homes".

"The action plan for social care was published nearly a month after the lockdown was introduced," she said.

"Protecting vulnerable people needing social care should be given more obvious priority.

"Targeted action to tackle local outbreaks in care homes must include effective testing and tracing, and ensuring consistent supplies of PPE to prevent a further spike in avoidable deaths."

In Mendip in the week to May 23:

- Deaths outside hospital increased by one, climbing to a total of seven

- Overall, the death toll climbed by one, compared to a rise of two in the previous seven-day period