COVID-19: Latest figures show case numbers dropping in Devon and Cornwall

The number of coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall fell last week.

A total of 4,390 new cases were confirmed across the two counties last week – with total now standing at 35,548 – the second highest weekly figure.

Confirmed number of cases in East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Torridge and West Devon have fallen – even before the impact of lockdown three worked its way into the figures.

Cases recorded in Seaton and surrounding areas from Jan 4-10:

Seaton - 14

Axminster - 17

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme - 15

Lyme Regis - 29

Honiton South & West - 28

Honiton North & East - 27

Due to the lag between infections, symptoms, tests and results, only now should the impact of lockdown three make a difference in terms of the number of new cases.

Government statistics show that 4,390 new cases have been confirmed across the region in the past seven days, compared to 5,120 new cases confirmed last week.

Of the 4,390 cases confirmed since January 8, 345 were in East Devon.

This compares to the 5,120 cases confirmed between January 2 and 9, of which 379 were in East Devon.

By specimen date, cases are still rising in Plymouth, Torbay and Teignbridge, and relatively level in East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon and West Devon. But they are falling already in North Devon, the South Hams and Torridge.

As of last Tuesday morning, there were 350 patients in hospital across Devon and Cornwall following a positive COVID-19 test, with 99 patients at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (up from 96 as of Jan 5), 34 at the Nightingale (up from 26), 25 at Torbay Hospital (up from 20), 72 in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth (up from 47), 9 at North Devon District Hospital (down from 18).

In the last week, there have been 32 deaths within hospitals in Devon and Cornwall within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 death, with 13 in Cornwall, 12 in Exeter, three in North Devon, three in Plymouth, and one in Torbay.

There were 25 patients in Mechanical Ventilation beds (up from 14), with eight at Derriford Hospital, three at Torbay, six at the RD&E and one in North Devon.

The figures show the amount of patients in hospital following a positive COVID-19 test who are currently occupying a bed.

But not every patient would necessarily have been admitted to hospital due to COVID-19, with a number of patients either contracting the virus inside the hospital, or being admitted for unrelated reasons but subsequently testing positive asymptotically when given routine tests.

The areas in each region with the highest number of cases are Cullompton (71), Exmouth Littleham (45), Alphington and Marsh Barton (57), Barnstaple South (14), Lipson (48), Dartmouth (38), Ogwell, Mile End and Teigngrace (42), Chelston, Cockington and Livermead (53), Bideford South and East (19), Helston (86) and Hatherleigh, Exbourne and North Tawton (15).

In terms of infection rates per age range, case rates are highest in the over 80s age range, with one in five case in Devon having been confirmed in care homes.

East Devon, Exeter and Teignbridge have case rates highest in the over 80s, but everywhere else in the 20-39 age groups.

It comes as Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, has pleaded with residents to follow the new national lockdown restrictions.

He said: "We are seeing increasing in outbreaks in care home and have had some significant outbreaks with 70 or 80 per cent of residents or staff testing positive.

"Some are asymptomatic but some have symptoms and in hospital, and about 20 per cent of Devon's cases are care homes.

"It is important to re-emphasise the stay at home message and to stay at home unless it is essential to go out.

"Every time you leave the front door, you risk coming into contact with someone who may have COVID and could be a crucial link in chain of transmission."