More than 60,000 vaccinations have been administered in the region, the latest figures show.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has praised the acceleration of the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out, however concerns remain about a potential rise of cases in Wiltshire.

In the South West, a total of 467,170 doses have been given to 415,087 people as part of the government’s plan to vaccinate the top four priority groups by mid-February.

The data covers seven health areas across the region, known as Integrated Care Systems (ICS) or Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STP).

So far, more than half of those over 80 and care home residents have received a vaccine.

Overall, a total of 98,234 doses have been administered in Devon, 79,743 in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, 68,693 in Dorset, 65,026 in Gloucestershire, 63,293 in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, 46,468 in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and 45,713 in Somerset.

The Government says that only two countries have administered more doses of the vaccine than the UK – China and the USA.

This week, a total of 65 pharmacy sites are joining the programme this week and early next week, with more to come.

Mr Hancock said: “Vaccines are the way out of the pandemic and this historic roll-out will cover every corner of the country.

“Community pharmacists have been phenomenal and will have a pivotal role to play in the continued expansion of the programme.

“Through the UK vaccine delivery plan, over 4 million people have already received their jab.

“From hospitals to pharmacies, sports clubs to places of worship – we’re making sure the vaccine is as accessible as possible.

“In the meantime, it is vital everyone continues to play their part in this national effort by staying at home to protect the NHS.”

However, his call comes as a new study reveals that Wiltshire is likely to remain a coronavirus ‘hotspot’ at the end of the month.

According to experts at Imperial College London, Wiltshire has a 90 percent chance of recording more than 200 cases per week by January 31.

Currently, the area has a 98 per cent chance of documenting more than 200 cases over seven days.

The map categorises areas as ‘hotspots’ if they have between a 75 per cent and 100 per cent chance of recording more than 50, 100, 200, 300 or 500 cases per week.

Meanwhile, Swindon's cases are likely to continue to drop in the coming weeks.

At the moment, the area has a 49 percent probability of recording more than 200 cases per week, but this is predicted to decrease to 17 percent by January 31.