Devon covid dips below national average

It follows weeks of high rates

Covid cases have fallen across all council areas in Devon, despite record levels of the virus nationally.

Figures for the week to Thursday 16 December show rates in Torbay, Plymouth and the Devon County Council area all dropped by around 15 per cent.

Combined with cases rising elsewhere amid the spread of Omicron, it means all areas of Devon now have lower levels of covid than the UK average of 776 cases per 100,000 people – a stark change from just a few weeks ago and a sign that the new variant isn't yet as prevalent in the county.

Devon and Torbay’s rates now stand at just over 543 and 518 respectively, though Plymouth’s is close to the national average at 758.

In the northern area of Devon, previously the most infectious area, cases have dropped significantly again. Torridge has recorded a fall of 30 per cent, meaning it now has one of the lower infection rates in the area.

At district level, cased in North Devon, West Devon and Teignbridge fell by around 20 per cent. East Devon, Exeter and South Hams registered single-figure percentage falls.

Mid Devon now narrowly has the lowest covid rate of the county’s 10 council areas, with Plymouth and South Hams the most infectious areas for covid based on official testing data.

HOSPITALISATIONS

On the lastest day for which data is available, Tuesday 14 December, 131 patients with covid were in Devon’s hospitals, a reduction of 29 from last week. Fifty-six are at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 33 at the RD&E, 26 in Torbay and 16 in North Devon.

Of the total number of patients, 16 are in ventilation beds.

DEATHS

Twenty more people died in the county within 28 days of testing positive for covid in the latest complete weekly period (up to Wednesday 15 December). Twelve were in the Devon County Council area, two in Torbay and six in Plymouth.

A total of 1,409 people in Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay) have died within 28 days of a positive test since the pandemic began.

VACCINATIONS

The number of people aged 12 and above who have received a booster (third) covid vaccination is 58 per cent in the Devon County Council area, 55 per cent in Torbay and 43 per cent in Plymouth.

Take-up of at least one dose is 87 per cent in the Devon County Council area, 85 per cent in Torbay and 84 per cent in Plymouth.

The proportion of people who have had two jabs is 82 per cent in Devon, 79 per cent in Torbay and 77 per cent in Plymouth.