COVID cases continue to slowly rise in most Devon districts, with Teignbridge seeing an 18.5 per cent rise.

A total of 507 cases were recorded across the district in the seven days to August 12, according to the latest figures. This was up 79 from the previous week and means that Teignbridge has a case rate of 375.4 per 100,000.

Exeter still has the highest rate in the region at 492 cases per 100,000 people, but its weekly total fell by more than 15 per cent.

Torbay and Plymouth both recorded more modest drops of three and six per cent respectively, but their case rates also remain significantly higher than the new national rate of 295.

The latest government figures, up to Thursday, August 12, show a sharp rise in North Devon of 40 per cent. The area now has a case rate of just over 410.

An increase of over 40 per cent in a week was also recorded in West Devon, where the latest rate is 248. In addition, there were rises of just over 15 per cent in East Devon and Teignbridge. The numbers here are slightly higher than the national figure.

Steve Brown, Devon’s director of public health, says there has been a ‘steady increase’ in cases since the easing of covid restrictions on Monday, July 19, and expects an impact from the change to self-isolation rules which came into force on Monday this week (August 16).

We’ve got someway to go yet before we reach this peak and start to see this downward trajectory,’ he added.

Hospitalisations

The number of people in hospital with Covid in the county is staying fairly consistent as the case numbers fluctuate in different areas.

The latest figures up to Tuesday, August 10, show 89 patients with the virus in Devon’s hospitals. This remains some way below the number of patients being treated for Covid during last winter’s peak.

Of the 89 patients, 42 are at Derriford Hospital, 28 are at the RD&E, 11 are in Torbay and eight are being cared for in North Devon. Twelve people are on mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

Twelve people died in the county within 28 days of testing positive for covid in the latest complete six day period (August 7 to 12). Seven were in the Devon County Council area, three in Plymouth and two in Torbay.

A total of 1,078 people in Devon have died within 28 days of a positive test since the pandemic began. This includes 216 in Plymouth and 165 in Torbay. Across the UK, 131,149 people have died within four weeks of testing positive.

Vaccinations

The number of adults aged 18 or over who have received at least one dose of a vaccine is now 87 per cent in the Devon County Council area, 86 per cent in Torbay and 84 per cent in Plymouth.

The proportion of people who are now fully vaccinated with both jabs is now 76 per cent in Devon, 76 per cent in Torbay and 70 per cent in Plymouth.