Five deaths have now been reported at the Holmesley care home in Sidford, all believed to be related to an outbreak of COVID-19, with post-mortems carried out on three.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the outbreak, which has affected a 'significant number' of residents and staff.

All five of the residents who have passed away since Sunday, March 6 tested positive for COVID-19.

Ten further residents are being treated for the coronavirus at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, and one member of staff is in hospital with COVID.

While staff are self-isolating, agency workers have been brought in to care for the residents who remain at the home.

Why are the police involved?

The police investigation was launched following concerns about the outbreak, and has involved post-mortems on three of the deceased residents.

Officers are speaking to staff and have conducted a search of the home.

The police-led investigation is being carried out in partnership with a multi-agency safeguarding operation to look after the home's residents.

North East and West Devon commander, Chief Superintendent Dan Evans, said: "I've no doubt there will be concern in the community regarding this incident and we are doing everything possible to help those bereaved families, while also working with partners to communicate to those with relatives remaining within the home.

"This is a complex investigation involving ourselves and multi-agency partners, with safeguarding of residents at its core.

"There is significant work underway to understand the current situation and progress the investigation as quickly as possible, while maintaining the safety of care home residents, staff, police officers and partner agency staff."

How is the outbreak affecting the local area

Despite the outbreak at Holmesley and other care homes in the region, the number of weekly coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall fell again last week.

A total of 379 new cases were confirmed across the two counties last week – the lowest since the week ending September 25 – with the total since the start of the pandemic now at 46,343.

Of the 379 new cases confirmed since March 5, 87 were in Cornwall, 85 in East Devon, 33 in Exeter, 15 in Mid Devon, 8 in North Devon, 75 in Plymouth, four in South Hams, 33 in Teignbridge, four in Torridge and three in West Devon.

As of Tuesday, March 9, there were 36 patients across the county in hospital after a positive test, down on the 43 as of the previous Tuesday.

This included 17 patients at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (up from 12 as of March 2), six at Torbay Hospital (down from 10), 12 in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth (down from 18), one at North Devon District Hospital (down from two), and none in Devon Partnership NHS Trust units (down from one), although not all patients may not be local as some Devon hospitals were providing mutual aid to others.

Following the local outbreak, COVID case numbers peaked in the mid 40s this month in the Sidbury, Offwell & Beer area but the latest figures show reported cases had dropped back to 14 in the seven-day period up until March 9.

Cases have risen in the neighbouring Sidmouth Sidford area to nine, an increase of seven on the previous week, but there are still fewer than three cases in the Sidmouth Town area.

COVID case numbers for other surrounding areas as of March 9 were as follows:

Seaton - 4 (increase of 2 on the previous week)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme - 5 (increase of 3)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale - fewer than 3 cases

Axminster - 6 (increase of 2)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas - fewer than 3 cases

Chard West - 8 (increase of 6)

Chard North & east - 9 (increase of 5)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland - fewer than 3 cases

Honiton North & East - fewer than 3 cases

Honiton South & West - fewer than 3 cases

Feniton & Whimple - 3 (increase of 1)

Ottery St Mary & West Hill - 5 (increase of 3)

Poppleford, Otterton & Woodbury - 5 (increase of 1)

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