Omicron surges in Devon

Cases nearly double in some areas

Covid rates continue to soar across Devon as the Omicron variant grips the UK. 

The latest complete weekly stats (to Sunday 2 January) show an increase in infections in every council area in the county.

The Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, saw infections rise by 62 per cent. The 8,645 cases are almost 3,300 more than the previous week. This huge increase takes the area’s infection rate to 1,066 per 100,000 of the population. 

Cases more than doubled in North Devon, where 1,127 new cases were reported, a rise of 599 (113 per cent) on the previous week’s figure. With cases escalating rapidly,  the infection rate is now the second highest in Devon at 1,148 per 100,000.

Plymouth’s infection rate of 1,420 is the highest. A further 3,732 cases were recorded in the city, 1,453 (64 per cent) more than the previous week.

Torbay also saw a large increase in cases, registering 73 per cent more than the previous week. A total of 1,436 infections were recorded, 601 more than last week and bringing the infection rate to 1,047 per 100,000. 

The sharp increases in cases in Devon reflects the rampant spread of the virus across the country, with well over 100,000 new infections recorded every single day in the UK since 22 December. 

Hospitalisations

The most recent data from Tuesday 4 January, showed 137 patients with covid were in Devon’s hospitals – up by 14 from 28 December. Ninety-two people are at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 37 at the RD&E in Exeter, 28 in Torbay and 10 in North Devon.

Of the total number of patients, 13 are in ventilation beds. 

Deaths

Nineteen people died within 28 days of receiving a positive covid test across Devon in the most recent complete seven-day period (to Sunday 2 January) –  up by eight from the same time last month.

Eleven people died in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay. Three deaths were recorded in Plymouth. Two deaths were in Torbay.

Across Devon, a total of 1,472 people have now died within 28 days of a positive covid test.

Vaccinations

Eighty-eight 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 82 per cent receiving both doses. Sixty-seven per cent have now had their ‘booster’ dose.

In Plymouth, 84 per cent have had one dose, while 78 per cent have had both. Fifty-four per cent have had the booster.

In Torbay, 86 per cent have received one dose, while 80 per cent have had both jabs. Sixty-two per cent have had their third vaccine.

The national rates are 90, 83 and 61 per cent respectively.