As an illustration of the unpredictability of the current COVID-19 situation even in Cornwall, which has low numbers of cases compared to other parts of England, some areas of South East and Mid Cornwall that had disappeared from the ‘clusters’ map of the county have now reappeared with new recorded cases.

A ‘cluster’ is defined as three or more cases of the virus in an area of 750,000 people, and the updated figures from Public Health England relate to the seven days from October 21-27.

The local areas back on the new clusters map are: St Neot and St Cleer, where cases of COVID have suddenly risen to five people with the virus; St Austell Central, where there are now three people with COVID-19; and Launceston, where cases have suddenly jumped up to three.

Elsewhere in South East Cornwall, the situation in the area of Kingsand, Maryfield and Antony – where the highest number of cases in Cornwall is to be found – remains at 39 people infected with COVID-19.

In Mid Saltash the number of people affected remains static at four virus cases, but in Saltash Town and Pillmere there has been a rise of one case to leave seven people with COVID, while in Saltash Latchbrook and St Stephens there are also seven people infected, which is one case less than in the previous day’s released figures.

In the area of St Germans and St Mellion, however, virus cases have now risen by two to leave a total of six people affected, but in Callington and Pensilva the number of people with COVID remains static at three. There are also still three people with the virus in the area of Gunnislake and Calstock.

In Liskeard there is also no change, with six people still having the virus, but in neighbouring Dobwalls, Addington and Menheniot the number of people with COVID has fallen by one to three, while in the area of Altarnun and Stoke Climsland case figures have risen by one to four people infected.

In Lanreath, Pelynt and Polruan another person has been identified with the virus, making eight COVID sufferers in total, but in the area of Lostwithiel and Penwithick case numbers remain static at six, and in Par numbers remain the same at three.

In Mid Cornwall, however, the number of people with the virus in Bodmin East has risen by three to seven COVID cases, and in Bodmin West by one case to give a total of six people affected there.

St Austell North and Carclaze has also seen a rise by one case to leave seven people infected with the virus, and there has also been an extra person identified as having COVID in St Austell East and Carlyon Bay, making a total of four cases there. The area of Mevagissey and Polgooth has also seen cases rise by one to give a current total of six people with COVID-19.