While COVID-19 cases across the UK have fallen for five days straight, numbers continued to increase in every part of Devon over the past week.

The case rate in the area is now 188 per cent higher than the UK average and there were also huge spikes in some of Devon's districts, with cases going up by 125 per cent in Torridge (189 new cases) and 125 per cent in North Devon (547 new cases).

Teignbridge saw the smallest increase in rates of infection, with numbers going up by around 16 per cent (77 new cases).

Overall in Devon, including Plymouth and Torbay, 6,740 people caught the virus in the seven-day period.

Case rates rose by 1245 (60 per cent) in the Devon County Council area and by 382 (65 per cent) in Torbay.

[L]Hospitalisations[.L]

Thirty-five patients were admitted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth in the week up until Sunday, July 18.

Seventeen patients were admitted to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, while 15 patients were admitted to Torbay Hospital. Two more are being cared for in North Devon.

Deaths

No new deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID test were recorded in Devon in the past week.

The total number of people who have died within 28 days of positive COVID test remains at 1,046 in Devon, including 206 in Plymouth and 156 in Torbay.

129,044 people have now died within 28 days of a positive COVID test in the UK, that number rising by 306 in the last seven days.

Vaccinations

Eighty-six per cent of adults in the Devon County Council area have now had their first dose of a vaccine, while 70 per cent have had both.

The UK average is currently at 88 per cent for one dose and just under 70 per cent for both doses.

Cases in the Axminster area

Coronavirus cases in the Axminster area have remained relatively steady.

In the seven-day period up until July 20, there were 18 confirmed cases in Axminster, an decrease of one on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people is 193.2.

Figures for surrounding areas were as follows:

Seaton – 10 (decrease of 17)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 14 (decrease of 7)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 20 (increase of 6)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 13 (increase of 7)

Sidmouth Town – 9 (increase of 1)

Sidmouth Sidford – 14 (decrease of 4)

Honiton South & West – 5 (decrease of 6)

Honiton North & East – 21 (same as previous week)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 6 (decrease of 2)

Chard West – 18 (increase of 9)

Chard North & East – 6 (increase of 1)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 14 (increase of 4)