DEVON’S Director of public health advises caution as 217 new people tested positive for Covid in Teignbridge on January 29.

According to the latest Government figures, between January 23 and 29, 1,692 people had a confirmed positive test result. This shows an increase of 18.7% compared to the previous seven days.

Fortunately, there were no deaths in Teignbridge within 28 days of a positive test for coronavirus reported on January 29.

Vaccinations in Teignbridge

111,879 people had been given a first dose by the end of January 28. 106,026 people had been given a second dose and 90,153 people had been given a booster or third dose by the end of January 28.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust report that seven people with coronavirus went into hospital on January 23 and there were 24 patients in hospital with coronavirus on January 25. One coronavirus patient was in hospital beds with a mechanical ventilator on January 25.

This week, England reverted to Plan A. Face coverings are no longer mandatory in most situations; venues and event organisers no longer need to check visitors’ NHS COVID-19 Pass; and the government is no longer asking people to work from home if they can.

And yet, case rates of coronavirus in Devon are rising, mostly prevalent among the primary and secondary school age population.

Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, is continuing to advise caution.