There was a small rise in the number of new coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall last week, with an average of six more cases a day across the two counties.

A total of 214 new cases were confirmed across the two counties last week, compared to 163 the previous week. This is the highest for three weeks and the total case numbers since the start of the pandemic now stands at 47,674.

Of the 214 new cases confirmed since April 16, 65 were in Cornwall, 16 in East Devon, 17 in Exeter, 17 in Mid Devon, 16 in North Devon, 33 in Plymouth, 9 in South Hams, 18 in Teignbridge, 9 in Torbay, 6 in Torridge and 8 in West Devon.

While the numbers of cases confirmed has risen slightly, the number of tests carried out across the region has also risen by a third, week-on-week, and positive levels are unchanged at 0.3 per cent. 

"Now is another critical time, if we're to avoid an upturn in cases again," said Steve Brown, Director for Public Health Devon.

"The latest data is beginning to cover the period since restrictions have eased. At the same time, the vaccines are rolling out to younger priority groups.

"Naturally there's optimism in the air, and although that's good news, I do want to repeat the need for us all to remain very cautious, otherwise we will start to see those case numbers in Devon rising again.

"Right now, the vaccine alone is not the single solution. It's vital that the measures that we're all familiar with – keeping our distance, wearing face coverings when indoors in public spaces, and washing our hands regularly – remain part of our everyday lives.

"The restrictions at the moment allow meeting in groups of up to six, or two households, outdoors only. So while the evenings are still a little cool, please do not be tempted to take your gathering indoors.

"Outdoors, in the fresh air, is safer as it reduces the chance of the virus being transmitted."

Hospital patients

Across Devon, there has been a fall in the number of COVID patients in hospital, down from 15 to 13, based on the figures released on Tuesday, April 20.

The number of patients in mechanical ventilation beds in Devon is two, with both being at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital.

In the last week, there has been two deaths in Devon and Cornwall hospitals of patients within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test, one in Exeter and one in Cornwall.  

Vaccines

The latest figures show that more than two thirds of adults across Devon and Cornwall have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine – and more than one in five adults have had their second jab.

The statistics, which provide the position as of April 18, show that there have been 1,304,406 vaccines delivered in the two counties, with 989,975 of them being the first dose.

In Devon, 671,070 people have had their first dose, with 209,777 of them having had a second dose, while in Cornwall, 318,905 people have had their first dose, with 104,654 a second dose.

COVID cases in the Seaton area

Coronavirus case numbers in the local area remain very low, with every area of East Devon reporting fewer than three cases as of April 21.

In small areas with fewer than three cases, full data is not provided to protect the identity of individuals.

The closes areas which have reported three or more cases are Central Exeter (3), Yeovil Lufton & Hollands (3), and Dorchester East (4).

There were also no further coronavirus-related deaths reported in Seaton in March 2021, with the total death figure for the town remaining at 13 since the pandemic broke out in March 2020.

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