After dropping over the past few weeks, COVID-19 cases have once again risen in all parts of Devon.

In the seven-day period up to January 23, the county recorded 12,745 new cases – 2,290 more than in the previous week. The 22 per cent rise takes the infection rate across Devon to 1,120 per 100,000 of the population, higher than the national average of 954.

The Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, recorded the largest spike, with a 29 per cent (+1,816) rise. The new cases take the area's infection rate to 1,009 per 100,000 people.

Torbay continues to have the highest infection rate in the county, with 1,270 cases per 100,000 of the population. The latest figures record 1,730 infections in Torbay – 181 (12 per cent) more than the previous week.

Plymouth's 2,839 new cases are 279 (12 per cent) more than the previous week. The infection rate is 1,080 per 100,000 of the population.

The spike is a setback for the city's health services. Speaking recently Kevin Baber, chief operating officer of Plymouth Hospitals, said the number of people waiting for treatment at Derriford is 40,000 – up 10,000 since the beginning of the pandemic.

More than 3,000 people have been waiting over a year and 461 patients, primarily needing elected orthopaedics or spinal surgery, have waited over two years.

Mr Baber said the pandemic has taken a toll on NHS workers in Plymouth, noting "an increasing number of staff who are off sick with stress, anxiety, depression and COVID PTSD."

Hospitalisations

As January 25, there were 240 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals across Devon – the majority (188) being in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

Twenty-seven people were being cared for at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, while a further 25 were being treated in Torbay Hospital.

Three patients in Devon were in mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

Nineteen people died within 28 days of receiving a positive COVID-19 test across Devon in the seven-day period up to January 23 – six more than last week.

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

Across Devon, a total of 1,518 people have now died within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test since the pandemic began.

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 83 per cent receiving both doses.

Seventy per cent have now had their 'booster' dose.

The national rates are 91, 84 and 65 per cent respectively.

COVID cases in the Axminster area

In line with the picture across Devon, Axminster has also seen a small increase in COVID-19 infections, according to the latest available figures.

In the seven-day period up to January 25, there were 70 confirmed cases in the Axminster area, an increase of nine on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 736.6 – still below the Devon rate of 1,120 and national average of 954.

Cases have also increased in most surrounding areas.

The figures for neighbouring areas up until January 25 were as follows:

Seaton – 31 (increase of 4)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 39 (increase of 14)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 46 (increase of 12)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 33 (increase of 4)

Sidmouth Town – 25 (increase of 3)

Sidmouth Sidford – 47 (decrease of 15)

Ottery St Mary & West Hill – 77 (increase of 31)

Honiton South & West – 62 (increase of 15)

Honiton North & East – 52 (decrease of 6)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 41 (increase of 21)

Chard West – 86 (no change)

Chard North & East – 88 (increase of 22)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 59 (increase of 10)