Devon covid up 28 per cent

But Exeter cases drop a third this week

The number of new coronavirus cases confirmed in the last seven days has risen across Devon. Last week 1,207 new cases were confirmed in the county, compared to 943 new cases confirmed last week. But the picture is mixed. A large increase in Plymouth and Torbay, where numbers have doubled, is offset somewhat by a reduction in Exeter, where cases dropped a third.

East Devon suffered a big increase, with small rises in Mid Devon, North Devon, Teignbridge, the South Hams, and West Devon. Cases in Torridge have dropped.

Of the 1,207 new cases, 116 in East Devon, 252 in Exeter, 47 in Mid Devon, 55 in North Devon, 369 in Plymouth, 89 in Teignbridge, 182 in Torbay, 18 in Torridge and 35 in West Devon.

In terms of a pattern, cases are trending down in Exeter, North Devon, Teignbridge, and Torridge, with West Devon fairly flat. Mid Devon and South Hams are seeing a shallower rise in cases that is beginning to level off, but East Devon, and particularly Plymouth and Torbay have seen sharp rises by specimen date.

The number of people in hospital across the south west has risen to 248 from 151 last week and currently 21 people are on mechanical ventilators.

Deaths in hospital have been reported this week in Derriford (2), Torbay (7) and North Devon (2) hospitals following a positive covid-19 test.

Steve Brown, deputy director for Public Health Devon has confirmed that Exeter case numbers are now back to ‘broadly’ the national average. He said: “When we look at those people who are testing positive for covid we are seeing an increase in the age profile. So we’re seeing now working age and older adults who are testing positive for covid-19. Again (that’s) similar to what we see across the country.”

He described the reduction in cases in Exeter as great news and testament to all the work that the university and colleagues have done. “While the numbers are low in Devon at the moment, it’s really important that we do all we can to maintain that,” he said.