The COVID-19 infection rate across Devon is now lower than the national average.

Government figures for the week up to Sunday, September 12 show that the average rate of infection across all Devon council areas was 295 per 100,000 of the population.

In the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, the rate of infection was 255 per 100,000.

In contrast, the average infection rate across the country is now 337 per 100,000 of the population.

Devon councils will be hoping this trend continues ahead of the autumn and winter months.

This week the government set out Plan A and Plan B scenarios for the winter.

Plan A is designed to prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed and promotes vaccines and testing, while Plan B – to be used if the NHS is coming under "unsustainable pressure" – includes measures such as a return to widespread use of face masks.

Hospitalisations

The decline in infection rates in Devon has continued to translate into a reduction in hospitalisations.

The latest figures for the seven-day period up to Tuesday, September 14 show that there were 128 people in hospitals across Devon as a result of COVID-19, eight fewer than the previous week.

Of these 128 patients, 58 were at Derriford in Plymouth, 42 at the Royal Devon & Exeter, 21 in Torbay, while seven were being cared for in North Devon.

Fourteen of the patients in hospital with COVID-19 in Devon were on mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

Deaths have risen in Devon, with a further 29 people dying within 28 days of a positive COVID test in the most recent seven day period, up to and including Sunday, September 12 – 13 more than in the previous week.

Eighteen people died in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay. In Plymouth, nine people lost their lives, whilst three deaths were recorded in Torbay.

The total number of people who have died within 28 days of positive COVID-19 test in Devon is now 1,183.

Vaccinations

Eighty-seven per cent of adults have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, with 82 per cent receiving both doses.

In Plymouth, 84 per cent have had one dose, while 76 per cent have had both.

In Torbay, 86 per cent have received one dose, while 79 per cent have had both jabs.

This means that vaccination rates in Devon are still slightly behind the rest of the UK.

Eighty-nine per cent of adults in the country have had one dose, while 82 per cent have had both jabs.

COVID cases in the Axminster area

The decrease in sections across Devon has been reflected in figures for the Axminster area, which have dropped significantly according to latest figures.

In the seven-day period up until September 14, there were 13 cases in the Axminster area, a decrease of 14 on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 136.8 – less than half the national average of 337.

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

Seaton – 12 (decrease of 15)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 5 (decrease of 10)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 22 (increase of 4)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 13 (decrease of 7)

Sidmouth Town – 7 (decrease of 14)

Sidmouth Sidford – 7 (increase of 1)

Honiton South & West – 14 (increase of 3)

Honiton North & East – 9 (decrease of 7)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 11 (decrease of 1)

Chard West – 19 (decrease of 14)

Chard North & East – 16 (decrease of 9)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 18 (decrease of 14)