Devon covid up for fifth successive week

And higher than national average

Covid figures have risen in Devon for the fifth week in a row with infection rates once again higher than the UK average.

In the week to Sunday 24 October, 6,154 new infections were recorded across the county, seven per cent more than the previous week. The infection rate is now 507 per 100,000 of the population, higher than the UK average of 466.

The only council area in Devon with a rate lower than the national average is Exeter. The city currently has an infection rate of 417 per 100,000, but cases are rising, with 556 people in Exeter testing positive last week, 119 [27 per cent] more than the week before.

Overall, 4,115 infections were recorded across the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, up by 215 (five per cent) and bringing the infection rate to 508 per 100,000.

Plymouth had 137 more infections than the previous week, recording 1,368 new cases. The 11 per cent increase takes the city’s infection rate to 521 per 100,000.

In Torbay, 671 people tested positive, up by 85 (15 per cent) and making the infection rate of 493 per 100,000.

The only district council area in the county with a drop in infections was Mid Devon, recording 468 cases, 58 [11 per cent] fewer than the previous week. However, this drop resembles somewhat of a false dawn. It was only last week that Mid Devon’s cases skyrocketed more than 72 per cent. At 562 cases per 100,000 of the population, the district’s current infection rate is the second-highest in the county, second only to West Devon, which has an infection rate of 606 per 100,000.

Hospitalisations 

As reported on Tuesday 26 October, the recent rise in case numbers across the county has led to an increase – of 10 – in the number of people being treated for covid in Devon’s hospitals.

Latest figures [on Tuesday 19 October] show 118 covid patients in the county’s hospitals, 49 of whom are at Derriford in Plymouth, 28 at the RD&E, 24 in Torbay and 17 in North Devon. Of those patients, nine are in mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

People dying with covid in Devon fell this week – one of the few pieces of good news.

Four more people died within 28 days of receiving a positive covid test across Devon. Two died in the Devon County Council area. Torbay and Plymouth each recorded a single death. Last week, 14 people died across Devon.

Across the county, a total of 1,273 people have now died within 28 days of a positive covid test.

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, 81 per cent have had one dose, while 74 per cent have had both.

In Torbay, 82 per cent have received one dose, while 77 per cent have had both jabs.

This means that vaccination rates in Devon remain slightly behind the rest of the UK. Across the country, 87 per cent of people aged 12 and over have had one dose, while 79 per cent have had both jabs.