COVID-19 rates continue to soar across Devon as the Omicron variant grips the UK.

The latest figures up to January 2 show an increase in infections in every council area in the county.

The Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, saw infections rise by 62 per cent. The 8,645 cases are almost 3,300 more than the previous week.

This huge increase takes the area's infection rate to 1,066 per 100,000 of the population.

Cases more than doubled in North Devon, where 1,127 new cases were reported, a rise of 599 (113 per cent) on the previous week's figure.

With cases escalating rapidly, the infection rate is now the second highest in Devon, at 1,148 per 100,000.

Plymouth's infection rate of 1,420 is the highest. A further 3,732 cases were recorded in the city, 1,453 (64 per cent) more than the previous week.

Torbay also saw a large increase in cases, registering 73 per cent more than the previous week. A total of 1,436 infections were recorded, 601 more than last week and bringing the infection rate to 1,047 per 100,000.

The sharp increases in cases in Devon reflects the rampant spread of the virus across the country, with well over 100,000 new infections recorded every single day in the UK since December 22.

The national average case rate was 1,597 per 100,000 people as of January 4.

Hospitalisations

As off January 4, there were 137 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals across Devon – up by 14 from December 28.

Ninety-two people were at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 37 at the Royal Devon & Exeter, 28 in Torbay and 10 in North Devon.

Of the total number of patients, 13 were in ventilation beds.

Deaths

Nineteen people died within 28 days of receiving a positive COVID-19 test across Devon in seven day period up until January 2 – up by eight from the same time last month.

Eleven people died in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay. Three deaths were recorded in Plymouth and two in Torbay.

Across Devon, a total of 1,472 people have now died within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test since the start of the pandemic.

Vaccinations

Eighty-eight 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 82 per cent receiving both doses.

Sixty-seven per cent have now had their 'booster' dose.

In Plymouth, 84 per cent have had one dose, while 78 per cent have had both. Fifty-four per cent have had the booster.

In Torbay, 86 per cent have received one dose, while 80 per cent have had both jabs. Sixty-two per cent have had their third vaccine.

The national rates are 90, 83 and 61 per cent respectively.

COVID cases in the Axminster area

In line with the picture across Devon and the rest of the country, COVID-19 cases in Axminster have continued to increase according to the latest figures.

In the seven-day period up until January 4, there were 118 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Axminster, an increase of 51 on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 1,241 – below the national average of 1,597 but above the Devon County Council of 1,066.

Case numbers also increased in every surrounding area.

The figures for neighbouring areas up until January 4 were as follows:

Seaton – 82 (increase of 28)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 98 (increase of 58)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 82 (increase of 38)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 39 (increase of 11)

Sidmouth Town – 49 (increase of 16)

Sidmouth Sidford – 104 (increase of 46)

Ottery St Mary & West Hill – 92 (increase of 4)

Honiton South & West – 39 (increase of 15)

Honiton North & East – 53 (increase of 30)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 53 (increase of 23)

Chard West – 88 (increase of 43)

Chard North & East – 102 (increase of 40)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 83 (increase of 37)