Devon covid rising

But infection rate below national average

Covid figures continue to rise across most of Devon, with Torbay and South Hams the only council areas not to suffer an increase in cases.

In the week to Sunday, 3 October, a total of 3,897 new covid cases were recorded across the county: an infection rate of 310 per 100,000 of the population. Though rising, this figure is still slightly behind the UK average of 341 cases per 100,000 of the population.

Mid Devon saw the steepest increase, rising almost 50 per cent over the previous week. The district reported 245 cases and has an infection rate of 294 per 100,000. 

However, infection rates there are still far behind North Devon, which currently has the highest infection rate of anywhere in the county, with 405 per 100,000 of the population contracting the virus. The district’s cases rose by more than 25 per cent in the past week, with 398 new infections.

Overall, the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, had 2,641 new cases, a 14 per cent rise in a week. The infection rate across its districts is 326 per 100,000 of the population.

Plymouth saw 901 new cases, a four per cent rise, and an infection rate now at 343 per 100,000 of the population.

In contrast, Torbay recorded a four per cent drop in cases. The rate of infection in the Bay now stands at 261 per 100,000, significantly lower than most rates in the county. In the most recent seven day period, Torbay had 355 new cases.

A similar trend has emerged in South Hams, which reported 23 per cent fewer cases than in the previous week. Its 237 new cases in that period mean the district now has an infection rate of 270 per 100,000.

Hospitalisations 

Despite fluctuating case numbers in some parts of the county, there seems to be a clear trend downwards in the number of people being treated for covid in Devon’s hospitals. The number is again down on last week – by 24.

Latest figures for Tuesday 28 September show 73 covid patients in the county’s hospitals, 28 of which are at Derriford in Plymouth, 28 at the RD&E, 10 in Torbay, five in North Devon and two at Devon Partnership mental health trust sites. Of the total number of patients, eight are in mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

Fifteen more people have died within 28 days of receiving a positive covid test across Devon. Thirteen were in the Devon County Council area and two in Plymouth. No deaths were recorded in Torbay.

Across Devon, a total of 1,236 people have now died within 28 days of a positive covid test since the pandemic began.

Vaccinations

Eighty-four per cent of people aged 12 and above have had their first dose of a vaccine in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, with 79 per cent receiving both doses.

In Plymouth, 80 per cent have had one dose, while 74 per cent have had both.

In Torbay, 83 per cent have received one dose and 77 per cent have had both jabs.

This means that vaccination rates in Devon are slightly behind the rest of the UK. Across the country, 85 per cent of people aged 12 and over in the country have had one dose, while 78 per cent have had both jabs.