COVID-19 figures have risen in Devon for the fifth week in a row, with infection rates once again higher than the UK average.

In the week up to October 24, 6,154 new infections were recorded across the county, seven per cent more than the previous week.

The infection rate is now 507 per 100,000 of the population, higher than the UK average of 466.

The only council area in Devon with a rate lower than the national average is Exeter.

The city currently has an infection rate of 417 per 100,000, but cases are rising, with 556 people in Exeter testing positive last week – 119 (27 per cent) more than the week before.

Overall, 4,115 infections were recorded across the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, up by 215 (five per cent) and bringing the infection rate to 508 per 100,000.

Plymouth had 137 more infections than the previous week, recording 1,368 new cases. The 11 per cent increase takes the city's infection rate to 521 per 100,000.

In Torbay, 671 people tested positive, up by 85 (15 per cent) and making the infection rate of 493 per 100,000.

The only district council area in the county with a drop in infections was Mid Devon, recording 468 cases – 58 (11 per cent) fewer than the previous week.

However, this drop resembles somewhat of a false dawn. It was only last week that Mid Devon's cases skyrocketed more than 72 per cent.

At 562 cases per 100,000 of the population, the district's current infection rate is the second-highest in the county, second only to West Devon, which has an infection rate of 606 per 100,000.

Hospitalisations

The recent rise in case numbers across the county has led to an increase of 10 in the number of people being treated for COVID-19 in Devon's hospitals.

Latest figures from October 19 show that there were 118 COVID patients in the county's hospitals, 49 of whom were at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 28 at the Royal Devon & Exeter, 24 in Torbay and 17 in North Devon.

Of those patients, nine were in mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

People dying with COVID-19 in Devon fell this week – one of the few pieces of good news.

Four more people died within 28 days of receiving a positive COVID test across Devon. Two died in the Devon County Council area.

Torbay and Plymouth each recorded a single death.

The previous week, 14 people died across Devon.

Across the county, a total of 1,273 people have now died within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test since the start of the pandemic.

Vaccinations

Eighty-four per cent of people aged 12 and above have had their first dose of a vaccine in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, with 79 per cent receiving both doses.

In Plymouth, 81 per cent have had one dose, while 74 per cent have had both.

In Torbay, 82 per cent have received one dose, while 77 per cent have had both jabs.

This means that vaccination rates in Devon remain slightly behind the rest of the UK.

Across the country, 87 per cent of people aged 12 and over have had one dose, while 79 per cent have had both jabs.

COVID cases in the Axminster area

COVID-19 cases in the Axminster area also continue to increase, with the case rate now almost double the national average.

In the seven-day period up until October 26, there were 85 cases in the Axminster area, an increase of 12 on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 894.5 – compared to the national average of 466.

However, there have been decreases in case numbers in almost every surrounding area.

The figures for neighbouring areas up until October 26 were as follows:

Seaton – 48 (increase of 12)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 42 (decrease of 53)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 55 (decrease of 12)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 27 (decrease of 4)

Sidmouth Town – 14 (decrease of 2)

Sidmouth Sidford – 36 (decrease of 12)

Ottery St Mary & West Hill – 52 (decrease of 26)

Honiton South & West – 40 (decrease of 16)

Honiton North & East – 34 (decrease of 7)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 43 (decrease of 7)

Chard West – 43 (decrease of 10)

Chard North & East – 58 (increase of 5)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 52 (decrease of 7)