THE number of people in England who have tested positive for coronavirus has risen to more than 200, the government has confirmed.

In the latest update, Public Health England revealed that more than 21,000 had been tested in England, of which 244 had been confirmed as positive.

Two patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about coronavirus

According to the breakdown by local authority issued by Public Health England, two people in Somerset has tested positive for coronavirus, meanwhile there have been 12 positive cases identified in neighbouring Devon.

There are a total of 35 cases in the South West according to regional figures provided.

There has been evidence of some panic-buying at local shops - Tesco in Castle Street, Taunton is running low on toilet roll, hand sanitizer and pasta - but the vast majority of other items remain well-stocked.

Health minister Matt Hancock said ministers would do "all we can" to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, and he set out plans contained in emergency legislation to deal with the impact of the virus.

The Bill, which is likely to go through Parliament by the end of the month, is expected to include measures to allow some court proceedings to be conducted via telephone or video.

And volunteers will be given additional employment safeguards, allowing them to leave their main jobs and temporarily help health and social systems in the event of a widespread pandemic.

Mr Hancock said: "Public safety is my top priority. Responding to coronavirus is a massive national effort and I'm working with colleagues across government to ensure we have a proportionate emergency bill, with the right measures to deal with the impacts of a widespread Covid-19 outbreak."