COVID infection rates across Devon have risen for the third week in a row while Teignbridge has seen a slight fall.
Figures for the week to Sunday, November 28, show a total of 8,092 new cases across Devon, 3.6 per cent (283) more than in the previous week.
In Teignbridge 993 cases were recorded, a drop of 4 or -0.4 per cent. This means the case rate for Teignbridge is now 735.3 per 100,000.
Infection levels remain extremely high in parts of the county and every district has a higher infection rate than the national average. The average rate in Devon is now 664 per 100,000 of the population, compared with the national average sits of 440.
Torridge is the worst place for covid in the country – at least in proportion to the number of people living there. With 1,059 infections per 100,000, it’s almost two and a half times higher than the UK average. Cases rose slightly from a high base with the district recording eight new infections; around one per cent up on the previous week. Just three weeks ago, Torridge saw cases more than double.
North Devon continues to be the county’s second top covid hotspot. Despite a six per cent drop (50 cases), the district still recorded 799 new cases. The infection rate of 814 per 100,000 is almost double the national average.
Overall, the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, has high but relatively stable numbers this week, with 5,438 new infections, 21 (0.4 per cent) more than the previous week. The infection rate across its seven districts is now 670 per 100,000 of the population.
Cases rose significantly in Plymouth. The city had 1,777 new infections, 214 (14 per cent) more than the previous week – with a rate of 676 per 100,000.
Torbay’s recorded 877 new cases, 32 more than in the previous week. The four per cent rise takes the rate to 644 per 100,000.
Infections in Devon and across the country could shoot up in the coming weeks as the Omicron variant takes hold. A meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) on Wednesday (1 December) said the new variant could lead to a “very large wave of infections” and an increase in hospitalisations, even if vaccines prove effective against the mutation.
Hospitalisations
As reported on Wednesday (December 1), the most recent data from Tuesday, November 23, shows 163 patients are in Devon’s hospitals with covid. Sixty-one are at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 49 at the Royal Devon & Exeter, 21 in Torbay and 32 in North Devon.
Of those patients, 16 are in ventilation beds.
Deaths
Nineteen people died within 28 days of receiving a positive covid test across Devon in the most recent complete seven-day period (up to Sunday, November 28) – the same as the previous week.
Eleven people died in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay. Six deaths were recorded in Plymouth and a further two deaths in Torbay.
Across Devon, a total of 1,361 people have now died within 28 days of a positive covid test.
Vaccinations
Eighty-seven per cent of people aged 12 and above have had at least one dose of a vaccine in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, with 81 per cent receiving both doses. Thirty-eight per cent have now had their ‘booster’ jab.
In Plymouth, 83 per cent have had one dose, 76 per cent have had both and 27 per cent the booster.
In Torbay, 85 per cent have received one dose, 79 per cent have had two and 41 per cent have had three.
The national rates are 89, 81 and 34 per cent respectively.