Exeter covid rates increase

The city has one of the highest infection rates in the county

Covid cases have risen in Devon, with Exeter continuing to have one of the highest rates of infection in the country.

In the seven days to Thursday 5 August the city recorded 778 cases, 117 (18 per cent) more than the previous week. The rate of infection per 100,000 people is now 584 – more than double the UK average of 277.

Cases in Torbay rose more than 25 per cent, with 678 infections, 138 more than the previous week. The rate of infection is now 498 per 100,000.

Overall Devon, including Plymouth and Torbay, saw cases rise by 380. This rise in infections of more than eight per cent takes the overall case rate to 421 per 100,000 people.

Only Plymouth and Torridge experienced a reduction in cases during the week, and even these drops were minor. 

Plymouth recorded 1,141 infections, 50 fewer than the previous week (four per cent). At 434, the infection rate per 100,000 in the city is marginally higher than the overall Devon average. 

Torridge had 192 cases, eight fewer than than the previous week. The four per cent drop in infections in the district takes the infection rate per 100,000 people to 279.

Deaths

One person died in South Hams within 28 days of testing positive for covid in the latest complete five day period (August 2 to 6). No other covid deaths in Devon were recorded in this time.

Since the pandemic began,1,059 people in Devon have now died within 28 days of a positive test, including 211 in Plymouth and 158 in Torbay. Across the UK, 130,503 people have died within 28 days of a positive test.

Vaccinations 

Eighty-seven per cent of adults have had their first dose of a vaccine in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Torbay and Plymouth, with 75 per cent receiving both doses. 

Torbay figures are similar:  here 85 per cent of adults have had one jab and 75 per cent have received both doses.

Plymouth is a tad behind the rest of the county: 83 per cent have had their first dose, while 68 per cent have also had their second dose.

This means across Devon uptake of the vaccine is slightly lower than the national average. Eighty-nine per cent of people in the UK have had one dose, with 75 per cent having had both doses.

Hospitalisations

During the seven days making up the latest available data (to Sunday 1 August) hospitalisations fell across Devon. A total of 90 people were admitted to hospital due to covid, two fewer than the previous week.

Forty-nine patients were admitted to Derriford hospital in Plymouth, three more than in the previous week. Meanwhile, 27 patients were sent to the RD&E, two fewer than last week.

Thirteen patients were sent to Torbay Hospital, down one on the previous week. Two patients were admitted to hospitals in North Devon, half the number of the previous week.*

*Note: this is the same information as was stated in the previous update (Friday, 6 August) – available government stats have not been updated since then.