The number of new coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall have nearly halved in the previous seven days – with cases falling everywhere.

A total of 1,266 new cases have been confirmed across the two counties – the lowest since the week ending October 16 – and Friday’s figure of 97 cases is the first ‘double figure’ total since October 2.

In all 11 regions of Devon and Cornwall, cases have fallen, with Cornwall, Plymouth, the South Hams and Torbay seeing a more than 50 per cent drop.

Government statistics show that 1,266 new cases have been confirmed across the region in the past seven days in both pillar 1 data from tests carried out by the NHS and pillar 2 data from commercial partners, compared to 2,367 new cases confirmed last week.

Of the 1,266 new cases confirmed since November 20, 232 were in Cornwall, with 180 in East Devon, 141 in Exeter, 59 in Mid Devon, 104 in North Devon, 231 in Plymouth, 33 in South Hams, 73 in Teignbridge, 119 in Torbay, 51 in Torridge and 43 in West Devon.

This compares to the 2,367cases confirmed between November 14 and 20 of which, 478 were in Cornwall, 244 in East Devon, 220 in Exeter, 79 in Mid Devon, 170 in North Devon, 597 in Plymouth, 89 in the South Hams, 108 in Teignbridge, 263 in Torbay, 66 in Torridge and 53 in West Devon.

Of the 1,266 new cases, 970 had a specimen date between November 20 and 26, with 171 in Cornwall, 152 in East Devon, 101 in Exeter, 40 in Mid Devon, 84 in North Devon, 179 in Plymouth, 25 in South Hams, 62 in Teignbridge, 86 in Torbay, 42 in Torridge and 28 in West Devon.

By specimen date, only Torridge isn’t seeing a fall in cases, although it’s total number of cases are one of the lowest in the region, and although East Devon and Teignbridge had seen a ‘one day spike’ in their rolling averages, they are now falling again as well.

In terms of the latest MSOA cluster maps, that cover the period of specimen dates between November 16 and November 22, Callington and Pensilva (21), Bodmin East (20), Wonford and St Loye’s (20), and Barnstaple Sticklepath (20) are the only four areas with a cluster of 20 or more – compared to 29 last week.

Ottery St Mary and West Hill (17), Cullompton (15), Efford, Laira & Crabtree (18), Ivybridge (7), Starcross and Exminster (12), Higher Brixham and Preston and Shorton (18), Hartland Coast (11) and Okehampton (10) are the areas in the other districts with the highest cluster numbers.

It comes as Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health Devon (Designate), said this week that going into Tier 2 will give the best chance for Devon to see cases continue to fall.

‘When we were in Tier 1, prior to the current national restrictions, we saw continued rising cases,” he said.

‘It’s only been recently, as a result of the national lockdown, that we have seen those cases plateau and ultimately start to fall.

‘Devon going into Tier 2 is the best chance for us to continue to see those cases fall.’