Devon's Director of Public Health praised the efforts of residents in adhering to the lockdown restrictions as the infection rate in the county fell to its lowest in a month.

But despite a fall in the number of COVID cases across all age groups, Steve Brown said there are still concerns about the number of positive cases in care homes and some business settings.

The fall in case numbers has also yet to filter through to hospitals and death figures, with the county currently experiencing its highest death rates of the pandemic.

The number of patients in hospitals has risen slightly in the past week – partly due to Devon hospitals taking in patients from neighbouring counties, including Dorset and Somerset, where hospitals are closed to capacity.

As of Tuesday morning, there were 300 patients occupying beds across the county after a positive test, up slightly on the 292 as of the previous Tuesday.

Infection rates in Devon, as of January 26, were currently at 130.4 per 100,000 population, a fall of nearly half compared to the peak on January 8 when it was 223 per 100,000. Not since December 28 have infection rates been as low as they are now.

The age range in Devon seeing the highest infection rates remains the over 90s - 332 per 100,000 but falling - and councillors earlier this week heard that there were 12 care homes that had not completed the vaccination programme because they were in the midst of significant outbreaks.

Those aged 20-34 also have infection rates over the 200 per 100,000 mark, while the age range with the lowest infection rates are the 70-74 year-olds.

Mr Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said: "The current restrictions are helping to bring down the number of positive cases in Devon.

"Devon residents are doing really well in adhering to the current lockdown restrictions, and we're seeing evidence that their efforts are working. However, we must keep it up.

"We do have concerns about the numbers of people currently testing positive for coronavirus in care homes, and in some business settings.

"And there is continuing pressure on our hospitals, where we are seeing higher numbers of coronavirus-related deaths."

All of Devon's over 80s will have been invited to receive their vaccine by the end of the week, and every care home resident, but those were significant outbreaks are taking place may not have received their vaccine yet.

Mr Brown added: "The roll out of the NHS vaccination programme is going well. More venues are opening up to provide greater capacity to vaccinate even greater numbers of people, and providing more choice for people about where they can receive their vaccination.

"We are also starting to pilot a system to provide rapid lateral flow tests to critical workers who are asymptomatic, in order prevent the spread of coronavirus.

"But while the vaccination is great news, it's important that we do not think that once we've had it, we can go about like normal. The vaccination helps minimises the symptoms, but there's no evidence yet that it stops a person catching and spreading the virus.

"Therefore it's essential that everyone, even including those who have received their first jab, continues to adhere to the lockdown rules to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Continue to social isolate, wear face coverings when in public spaces, and wash your hands properly and regularly.

"Please remember, you must isolate if you are instructed to do so by NHS Test and Trace."