Devon covid down again

Now lower than national average

Devon’s covid infection rate is now lower than the national average.

Government figures for the week up to Sunday, 12 September show that the average rate of infection across all Devon councils was 295 per 100,000 of the population. In the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, the rate of infection was 255 per 100,000.

In contrast, the average infection rate across the country is now 337 per 100,000 of the population.

The only council area to report a rise in cases was Torridge, which recorded 248 new cases, 57 more than the previous week. The infection rate in the district is at 361, the highest in the county.

Plymouth recorded 822 new cases, 354, or 30 per cent, less than in the previous week. The rate of infection in the city is now 316 per 100,000 of the population.

Torbay also reported a significant drop in infection, recording 120 fewer cases than in the previous week. Its total of 431 cases represents a 22 per cent drop on the previous seven days. The rate of infection in the Bay is now 316 per 100,000 of the population.

Devon councils will be hoping this trend continues ahead of the autumn and winter months. This week the government set out “Plan A” and “Plan B” scenarios for the winter. “Plan A” is designed to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed and promotes vaccines and testing. “Plan B”, to be used if the NHS is coming under “unsustainable pressure”, includes measures such as a return to widespread use of face masks.

Hospitalisations 

The decline in infection rates in Devon have continued to translate into a reduction in hospitalisations. The latest figures [Tuesday 14 September] show that across Devon, 128 people are in hospital as a result of covid, eight fewer than the previous week.

Of these 128 patients, 58 are at Derriford, 42 are at the RD&E, 21 in Torbay, while 7 are being cared for in north Devon.

Fourteen of the patients in hospital with covid in Devon are on mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

Deaths have risen in Devon, with a further 29 people dying within 28 days of a positive covid test in the most recent seven day period (up to and including Sunday, 12 September), thirteen more than in the previous week.

Eighteen people died in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay. In Plymouth, nine people lost their lives, whilst three deaths were recorded in Torbay.

The total number of people who have died within 28 days of positive covid test in Devon is now 1,183.

Vaccinations

Eighty-seven per cent of adults 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.

In Plymouth, 84 per cent have had one dose, while 76 per cent have had both.

In Torbay, 86 per cent have received one dose, while 79 per cent have had both jabs.

This means that vaccination rates in Devon are still slightly behind the rest of the UK. Eighty-nine per cent of adults in the country have had one dose, while 82 per cent have had both jabs.