Devon covid on the rise

Cases rise in every council area

Covid cases have risen in every council area across Devon, including a larger increase in Torbay.

In the week to Thursday 7 October, cases increased by almost 40 per cent in Torbay, 12 per cent in the Devon County Council area (which excludes Plymouth and Torbay) and 15 per cent in Plymouth.

Quite coincidentally, Devon and Torbay’s numbers of cases per 100,000 people both stand at 350, while the number in Plymouth is 388. By comparison, the UK average is now 363.

Of the county’s eight district areas, West Devon recorded the biggest rise of almost 40 per cent, putting its infection rate now above the national average at 429 cases per 100,000.

Torridge and Mid Devon also had double-digit rate increases, of 22 and 17 per cent respectively. Mid Devon’s infection rate of 292 remains the lowest in the county but Torridge’s (453) is now the highest.

In Devon’s other district areas – Teignbridge, South Hams, Exeter, East Devon and North Devon – there were smaller, single-figure percentage increases.

Devon County Council data shows infection rates amongst young people have gone up since they returned to schools and colleges after the summer holidays. The rate for people up to 19 years of age is 865 cases per 100,000, according to the latest figures, compared to just over 400 a month ago.

HOSPITALISATIONS

The recent rise in case numbers in some parts of the county has led to a slight increase – of five – in the number of people being treated for covid in Devon’s hospitals.

Figures for Tuesday 5 October show 78 covid patients in the county’s hospitals, 34 of which are at Derriford in Plymouth, 25 at the RD&E, 10 in Torbay, eight in North Devon and one at Devon Partnership mental health trust sites. Of the total number of patients, nine are on mechanical ventilation beds.

DEATHS

Eleven more people died in the county within 28 days of testing positive for covid in the latest complete weekly period (up to Thursday 7 October). Eight were in the Devon County Council area, one in Plymouth and two in Torbay.

A total of 1,245 people in Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay) have died within 28 days of a positive test since the pandemic began.

VACCINATIONS

Vaccination percentages now include those aged 12 and over. The number who have received at least one dose of a vaccine is 84 per cent in the Devon County Council area, 82 per cent in Torbay and 80 per cent in Plymouth.

The proportion of people who are fully vaccinated with both jabs is 79 per cent in Devon, 77 per cent in Torbay and 74 per cent in Plymouth.