COVID-19: Cases rise across Devon and in every area surrounding Axminster

Covid-19 cases have risen again in every council area across Devon and in every local area surrounding Axminster, reflecting the upward trend nationally.

The latest figures for the week up to October 14 showed that cases increased by almost a third (30 per cent) in the Devon County Council area, but increases were lower at 16 per cent in Torbay and 15 per cent in Plymouth.

Devon and Plymouth's cases per 100,000 people now stand at just under 450, while in Torbay it is 409, nearing the UK average of 435.

Of the county's eight districts, Mid Devon recorded by far the biggest rise of almost double, putting its infection rate well above the national average at 554 cases per 100,000.

West and East Devon also had large increases of just under 40 per cent, while Exeter was the only council to record a single-figure rise; just four per cent more cases were recorded.

It is a complete change from earlier in the year when Exeter was a Devon hotspot, put down mainly to the large student population.

But now the city now has the lowest COVID-19 rate in the county at 329, with South Hams at 351 the only other council area to have a rate lower than 400.

West Devon's infection rate of 595 is the highest in the county.

Health chiefs will discuss the current situation with local authorities at the monthly meeting of the Team Devon Local Outbreak Engagement Board, which takes place tomorrow (Thursday).

Hospitalisations

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

Latest figures show 108 COVID patients in the county's hospitals; 40 of which are at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 34 at the Royal Devon & Exeter, 18 in Torbay, 15 in North Devon and one at Devon Partnership mental health trust sites.

Of the total number of patients, ten are on mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

Fifteen more people died in the county within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19, according to the latest weekly y figures up to October 7.

Seven were in the Devon County Council area, three in Plymouth and five in Torbay.

A total of 1,259 people in Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay) have died within 28 days of a positive test since the pandemic began.

Vaccinations

Vaccination numbers now include those aged 12 and over.

In the Devon County Council area, 84 per cent have now had a least one dose, with 82 per cent in Torbay and 81 per cent in Plymouth.

The proportion of people who are fully vaccinated with both jabs is 79 per cent in Devon, 77 per cent in Torbay and 74 per cent in Plymouth.

COVID cases in the Axminster area

Axminster has seen a slight increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases, according the the latest figures, but some surrounding areas have seen much sharped rises.

In the seven-day period up until October 14, there were 29 cases in the Axminster area, an increase of nine on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 305.2 – below the national average of 435.

All neighbouring areas have also seen increased, some much sharper than Axminster, and some now have case rates above the national average.

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme is the worst affected local area, having seen cases jump from 25 to 81 with a case rate per 100,000 people of 964.1.

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

Seaton – 27 (increase of 7)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 81 (increase of 56)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 47 (increase of 34)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 36 (increase of 28)

Sidmouth Town – 15 (increase of 5)

Sidmouth Sidford – 34 (increase of 7)

Ottery St Mary & West Hill – 67 (increase of 14)

Honiton South & West – 32 (increase of 3)

Honiton North & East – 55 (increase of 26)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 17 (increase of 8)

Chard West – 19 (increase of 8)

Chard North & East – 25 (increase of 12)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 37 (increase of 26)