COVID-19 cases have fallen slightly across Devon, ending a recent period of continuous increases across the county.

Figures for the week up to February 3 show the infection rate in the Devon County Council area dropped five per cent, with further decreases of nine per cent in Plymouth and 14 per cent in Torbay.

However, a reduction in COVID-19 across the rest of the country means Devon' infection rate is still above the UK average of 864 cases per 100,000 people.

Devon's is 1,163, while the figures are slightly higher in Torbay (1,216) and Plymouth (1,223).

This week's picture is slightly more varied at district level, where two council areas recorded increases – West Devon by a marginal three per cent and a jump of 14 per cent in East Devon.

Torridge had the biggest drop in cases of more than a quarter, while infections also reduced by over 10 per cent in both Teignbridge and Mid Devon.

The figures mean Torridge is now the least prevalent area for the virus in Devon, at 844 cases per 100,000, just overtaking West Devon which has a rate of 859.

Despite a tiny fall, Exeter (1,533) remains Devon's most infectious area.

Before this week, much of the recent rise in cases appeared to be among people aged under 40. But cases in this age group are also falling, with quite sharp drop in the very youngest.

Hospitalisations

As of February 1 there were 226 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals across Devon, a reduction of 29 on the previous week. The majority – 137 – were being treated in Plymouth.

Elsewhere, 46 patients were at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, 27 in Torbay, 10 in North Devon and six at Devon Partnership mental health trust services.

Of the total number of patients, only four are in ventilation beds, a rise of two on last week.

Deaths

Twenty-three more people died in the county within 28 days of testing positive forCOVID0-19 in the week up to February 2. Sixteen were in the Devon County Council area, three in Torbay and four in Plymouth.

A total of 1,576 people in Devon, including Plymouth and Torbay, have now died within 28 days of a positive test since the pandemic began.

Vaccinations

The number of people aged over 12 who have received their booster COVID vaccination is 70 per cent in the Devon County Council area, 65 per cent in Torbay and 60 per cent in Plymouth.

Take-up for at least one dose of a vaccine is 88 per cent in the Devon County Council area, 86 per cent in Torbay and 85 per cent in Plymouth.

The proportion of people who have had two jabs is 84 per cent in Devon, 81 per cent in Torbay and 79 per cent in Plymouth.

COVID cases in the Axminster area

Despite decreases across Devon as a whole, COVID-19 cases have continued to increase in Axminster according to the latest available figures.

In the seven-day period up to February 3, there were 87 confirmed cases in the Axminster area, an increase of 11 on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 915.5 – below the Devon County Council rate of 1,163 but above the national average of 864.

Infections also increased in most surrounding areas, with Ottery St Mary currently the worst affected nearby area.

The figures for neighbouring areas up until February 3 were as follows:

Seaton – 36 (decrease of 14)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 81 (increase of 22)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 54 (decrease of 3)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 41 (increase of 8)

Sidmouth Town – 61 (increase of 30)

Sidmouth Sidford – 52 (decrease of 3)

Ottery St Mary & West Hill – 158 (increase of 63)

Honiton South & West – 83 (increase of 12)

Honiton North & East – 87 (increase of 34)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 51 (increase of 11)

Chard West – 106 (increase of 30)

Chard North & East – 108 (no change)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 94 (increase of 36)