Coronavirus cases continue to drop across Devon

Coronavirus cases continued to fall across Devon over the past week, with Exeter the only area to record an increase.

In the latest complete weekly data, up to Sunday, August 1, cases fell by 165 across the county, a 3.6 per cent drop on the previous week.

The infection rate per 100,000 is now 392. Although this is a decrease, the rate is still nearly 50 per cent above the UK average of 269.

Exeter is the only district in the county where COVID-19 infections rose, increasing by 55 per cent to 270 infections.

The area's case rate per 100,000 people is now 56 – forty-five per cent higher than the Devon average.

Cases fell most in North Devon over the past week, dropping by 104 (31 per cent). The infection rate in the district is now 238 per 100,000.

West Devon remains the area with the lowest infection rate, at 146 per 100,000.

The district saw its cases fall by 30 (27 per cent) compared to the previous week. In total, the district recorded 82 new COVID infections.

Hospitalisations

Figures for the seven-day period up until August 1 show hospitalisations fell overall across Devon.

A total of 90 people were admitted to hospital due to COVID-19, two fewer than the previous week.

Forty-eight patients were admitted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, three more than in the previous week.

Meanwhile, 27 patients were sent to the Royal Devon & Exeter, two fewer than last week.

Thirteen patients were sent to Torbay Hospital, one down on last week.

Two patients were admitted to hospital in North Devon, half the number of the previous week.

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Three people have died within 28 days of a positive COVID test in Devon this week. Two in Torridge and one in Exeter.

A total of 1,058 people in Devon have now died within 28 days of a positive test since the pandemic began, including 211 in Plymouth and 158 in Torbay.

Across the UK 128,992 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 74 per cent receiving both doses.

In Plymouth 83 per cent have had their first dose, while 67 per cent have also had their second dose.

In Torbay 85 per cent of adults have had one jab and 74 per cent have received both doses.

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 74 per cent having had both doses.

Cases in the Axminster area

Coronavirus cases in the Axminster have remained steady over the past week.

In the seven-day period up until August 3, there were 20 confirmed cases in Axminster – no change on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people is 214.6.

Figures for surrounding areas were as follows:

Seaton – 12 (increase of 6)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 15 (decrease of 3)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 11 (decrease of 4)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 5 (decrease of 5)

Sidmouth Town – 8 (increase of 2)

Sidmouth Sidford – 13 (decrease of 4)

Honiton South & West – 10 (decrease of 2)

Honiton North & East – 14 (iccrease of 6)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 11 (increase of 5)

Chard West – 11 (increase of 1)

Chard North & East – 8 (increase of 6)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 15 (increase of 1)