COVID infection rates across Devon have risen for the fourth week in a row with all parts of the county still higher than the UK average.

Figures for the week up to Sunday, December 5, show 9,003 new infections across Devon, 911 (11.3 per cent) more than the previous week.

Across Teignbridge the cases have gone up to1039, a rise of 48 0on the previous week or 4.8 per cent. This gives the district a case rate of 769.4 per 100,00.

The average infection rate across Devon is now 774 per 100,000 of the population, compared to the national average of 497.

After having the highest rate in the country for the past fortnight, cases in Torridge fell, with 633 infections, 13 per cent fewer than the previous week. Nevertheless, the rate remains high, with 921 cases per 100,000, 85 per cent more than the national average. 

West Devon had the highest increase in cases, with 425 new infections, 44 per cent (129) more than last week. The infection rate is 757 per 100,000. 

The Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, saw infections increase significantly, with 5,925 people contracting covid; 486 (9 per cent) more than last week. The area’s infection rate is 731 per 100,000.

Cases rose significantly in Plymouth, with 2,144 new infections, 20 per cent (363) more than the week before. The infection rate is 816 per 100,000.

Torbay’s recorded 934 new cases, up 57. The seven per cent rise takes the infection rate in the Bay to 686 per 100,000 of the population.

More than five cases of the Omicron variant have now been identified across Devon. This more transmissible form of the disease is expected to overtake Delta to become the dominant form of covid.

Hospitalisations

The latest available complete data (on Tuesday, November 30) showed 148 patients with covid were in Devon’s hospitals, down 15 from last week. Sixty-three were at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 42 at the Royal Devon & Exeter, 23 in Torbay and 20 in North Devon.

Of the total number of patients, 12 were in ventilation beds.

Deaths

Eleven people died within 28 days of receiving a positive covid test in Devon in the most recent complete seven-day period (up to Sunday, 5 November) – eight fewer than in the previous week.

Four people died in the Devon County Council area,  with an addition four deaths in Plymouth and three in Torbay.

Across Devon, a total of 1,372 people have now died within 28 days of a positive covid test.

Vaccinations

Eighty-seven per cent of people aged 12 and above have now had at least one dose of a vaccine in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, with 81 per cent receiving both doses. Forty-three per cent have now had their ‘booster’ dose.

In Plymouth, 83 per cent have had one dose, while 76 per cent have had both. Thirty two per cent have had the booster.

In Torbay, 85 per cent have received one dose, while 79 per cent have had both jabs. Forty-six per cent have had their third vaccine.

The national rates are 89, 81 and 39 per cent respectively.