The number of weekly number of coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall dropped last week by nearly 40 per cent, down to the lowest levels since mid-September.

The latest figures show Axminster has just four confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of March 2 and most surrounding areas now have fewer than three confirmed cases.

But there has been a concerning outbreak in the Sidbury, Offwell & Beer area, with 34 cases reported in the seven-day period up until March 2 - an increase of 32 on the previous week.

This spike has been put down to a single setting in the area, most likely a care home.

A spokesman for Public Health Devon said: "There is currently a rise in new cases in the Sidbury, Offwell and Beer area of East Devon, and the majority of them are linked to a single setting.

"We and Public Health England are working closely with that setting to ensure that all reasonable measures are in place and appropriate action is taken to ensure everyone's ongoing safety, and to prevent spread of infections.

"Controls are in place and there is no current evidence of wider community spread."

A total of 380 new cases were confirmed across Devon and Cornwall last week, compared to 650 the previous week. This is the lowest number since the week ending September 25, with the total since the start of the pandemic now at 45,964.

Cornwall has the second lowest infection rate of any upper tier authority in England, with Devon third, only behind the Isle of Wight.

At lower tier level, four of the five lowest infection rates are in Devon.

Of the 380 new cases confirmed since February 26, 78 were in Cornwall, 67 in East Devon, 29 in Exeter, 23 in Mid Devon, 14 in North Devon, 86 in Plymouth, six in South Hams, 24 in Teignbridge, 41 in Torbay, six in Torridge and six in West Devon.

In terms of infection rate per age range, case numbers are highest in the over 80s category in Devon, although this figure is skewed due to a couple of care home outbreaks in East Devon and Mid Devon.

Exeter has its highest infection rates in the 40 to 59 age range, while every other authority is seeing its highest figures in the 20 to 39 category.

The number of patients in all of Devon's hospitals following a positive COVID-19 test has fallen to levels not seen since the middle of October – and more than halved in a week.

As of last Tuesday morning (March 2), there were 43 patients across the county in hospital after a positive test, down on 89 as of the previous Tuesday.

There are no patients in the Exeter Nightingale Hospital, with February 26 seeing its final patients discharged, and both the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Derriford Hospital both are at their lowest figure since October 19.

In the last week, there have been eight deaths in Devon and Cornwall hospitals of patients within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test, with three in Cornwall, three in Plymouth, one in Torbay, and one in North Devon.

Steve Brown, director of public health Devon, said that testing for coronavirus is going to be the cornerstone of our transition back to normal life.

He said: "Over coming weeks and months, we are going to see a lot more movement of people – students returning to education, more people getting back to work, the loosening of restrictions on how many people we can be in contact with, and in time shops, cafes, and other businesses reopening.

"Coronavirus thrives on socialisation, which is why we see case numbers fall during lockdown, when movement and socialising is restricted.

"Taking a test regularly – the rapid tests that give results within the hour – is going to be an absolutely vital part of our way out of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Local community testing sites are available to anyone who work or whose volunteering requires them to be in contact with other people. We are also encouraging parents of secondary school and college-age students to use the community testing centres, as well as people in support bubbles.

"The tests are very quick and easy to take and results are texted or emailed back to you within the hour."

He added: "As restrictions do start to lift, it's so important that we continue to follow the national lockdown measures and stay at home and only go out if it is absolutely essential.

"If you do go out, remember: wear your face covering when you're in a public place indoors, keep social distance from one another, and wash your hands regularly.

"The vaccine is part of our way out of coronavirus. But not on its own or in isolation of the other prevention measures."

The latest figures on vaccines show that more than half of all adults in East Devon, Torbay and West Devon have now had their first COVID-19 vaccine.

The statistics, which provide the position as of February 28, show that there have been 461,165 vaccines delivered in Devon, with 445,074 of them being the first dose. Just under 50,000 vaccinations were carried out in the last week.

Devon has by far administered the most vaccinations compared to any other regions within the South West.

Local COVID-19 cases numbers as of March 2:

Axminster - 4 (decrease of 2 compared to previous week)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme - fewer than 3 cases (in small areas with fewer than three cases, full data is not provided as to protect the identity of individuals)

Seaton - fewer than 3 cases

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer - 34 (increase of 32 on previous week)

Sidmouth Sidford - fewer than 3 cases

Sidmouth Town - fewer than 3 cases

Ottery St Mary & West Hill - fewer than 3 cases

Honiton South & West - fewer than 3 cases

Honiton North & East - fewer than 3 cases

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland - fewer than 3 cases

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas - 3 (increase of 2)

Chard North & East - 4 (increase of 1)

Chard West - fewer than 3 cases

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale - fewer than three cases