COVID-19: Cases drop in Devon but full effects of Omicron variant not yet accounted for

COVID-19 infections across Devon have fallen according to the latest figures, but  the numbers don't yet reflect the surge in Omicron cases hitting the nation.

The latest weekly statistics run to Sunday, December 12. On that single day alone, the UK recorded 50,149 cases and by Friday, December 17 that number had nearly doubled to 93,045 – the highest daily figure since the start of the pandemic.

Before Omicron took hold, infections in Devon dropped. The weekly figures to December 12 show there were 7,591 new cases – 1,412 (16 per cent) fewer than the previous week.

On that day, the county's infection rate was 662 per 100,000 of the population, still higher than the national average of 536.

Cases fell in every council area in Devon apart from Plymouth, where infections rose three per cent. The 2,206 new cases in the city was 56 (3 per cent) more than the previous week.

During this period, Plymouth had an infection rate of 839 per 100,000 of the population.

The Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, saw cases drop 22 per cent, with 1,331 fewer. The rate of infection across all seven districts stood at 567 per 100,000.

After having the highest rates of infection of anywhere in the country in late November, Torridge welcomed a drop in cases for the second consecutive week.

The number of people contracting COVID was down a third (36 per cent), with 408 new infections, down from 226 the week before, and a rate of 594 per 100,000.

Torbay recorded 791 new cases, down 146. The 16 per cent drop takes the Bay's rate of infection to 581 per 100,000.

Hospitalisations

The most recent data from Tuesday, December 7 shows there were 160 patients in Devon's hospitals with COVID-19, an increase of 12 on the previous week.

Sixty-nine were at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 36 at the Royal Devon & Exeter, 30 in Torbay, 22 in North Devon and three at Devon Partnership mental health sites.

Of the total number of patients, 16 were in ventilation beds.

Deaths

Seventeen people died within 28 days of receiving a positive COVID-19 test across Devon in the seven-day period up to Sunday, December 12 – six more than in the previous week.

Ten people died in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay. Six deaths were recorded in Plymouth and one in Torbay.

Across Devon, a total of 1,389 people have now died within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test since the start of the pandemic.

Vaccinations

Eighty-seven per cent of people aged 12 and above have had their first dose of a vaccine in the Devon County Council area, excluding Plymouth and Torbay, with 81 per cent receiving both doses. Forty-nine per cent have now had their 'booster' dose.

In Plymouth, 84 per cent have had one dose, while 77 per cent have had both. Thirty-eight per cent have had the booster.

In Torbay, 85 per cent have received one dose, while 79 per cent have had both jabs. Fifty-one per cent have had their third vaccine.

The national rates are 89, 82 and 45 per cent respectively.

On Friday, promising early research was shared which suggests that booster vaccines could be 85 per cent effective in preventing severe illness from the Omicron variant.

The modelling, from Imperial College London, is based on limited information on Omicron.

The researchers say there is a high degree of uncertainty until more real-world information is gathered.

Imperial researcher Prof Azra Ghani said: "One remaining uncertainty is how severe the disease caused by the Omicron variant is compared to disease caused by previous variants.

"Whilst it may take several weeks to fully understand this, governments will need to put in place plans now to mitigate any potential impact.

"Our results demonstrate the importance of delivering booster doses as part of the wider public health response."

Dr Clive Dix, former chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, said: "There is a huge amount of uncertainty in these modelled estimates and we can only be confident about the impact of boosters against Omicron when we have another month of real-world data on hospitalisation, ICU [intensive care unit] numbers and deaths.

"It remains the case that we still need to get vaccines current and future to the whole world."

COVID-19 cases in the Axminster area

In line with the picture across Devon, COVID-19 cases in the Axminster continue to drop but the infection rate still remains high.

In the seven-day period up until December 14, there were 58 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Axminster, a drop of five on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 610.3 – still above the national average of 536.

The figures for neighbouring areas up until December 14 were as follows:

Seaton – 45 (decrease of 27)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 53 (decrease of 2)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 35 (increase of 3)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 10 (decrease of 9)

Sidmouth Town – 22 (increase of 8)

Sidmouth Sidford – 45 (increase of 7)

Ottery St Mary & West Hill – 37 (decrease of 5)

Honiton South & West – 10 (decrease of 3)

Honiton North & East – 16 (decrease of 4)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 20 (decrease of 9)

Chard West – 27 (increase of 8)

Chard North & East – 30 (decrease of 1)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 17 (decrease of 7)

You can find out more details on COVID case numbers in your local area at coronavirus.data.gov.uk