The number of new coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall fell by 40 per cent last week, to the lowest level seen since early September.

A total of 176 new cases were confirmed across the two counties last week – the first week with less than 200 since the week ending September 12.

The total confirmed cases for the two counties since the start of the pandemic now stands at 47,305.

Infection rates in Devon are the lowest of any upper tier authority in England – falling to 9.2 per 100,000 people – the first time the infection rate has been in single figures since September 21.

Cases confirmed in the last week fell almost everywhere compared to the previous week, including more than halving in Plymouth and Cornwall, although West Devon rose from four to five, and Torbay, rising from 19 to 26.

Government stats show that 176 new cases were confirmed across the region last week, compared to 292 new cases the previous week.

Of the 292 new cases confirmed since April 2, 53 were in Cornwall, with 10 in East Devon, 12 in Exeter, 12 in Mid Devon, 3 in North Devon, 32 in Plymouth, 9 in South Hams, 11 in Teignbridge, 26 in Torbay, 3 in Torridge and 5 in West Devon.

Infection rates are highest in the 20-39 age group across Devon.

As of Tuesday, April 6, there were 14 patients across the county in hospital after a positive COVID-19 test, down on the 19 as of the previous Tuesday – the lowest number since the start of October.

Both North Devon District Hospital and Torbay Hospital had no patients following a positive COVID-19 test.

Derriford Hospital in Plymouth had three patients, the same as the previous week, while the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital had 11 patients, down from 13 the previous week.

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. 

More than one in ten adults across Devon and Cornwall have now had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The latest statistics, which provide the position as of April 4, show that there have been 1,115,085 vaccines delivered in the two counties, with 963,530 of them being the first dose.

In Devon, 652,345 people have had their first dose, with 100,258 of them having also had a second dose, while in Cornwall, 311,185 people have had their first dose, with 51,297 a second dose.

It means that in Devon, 65.2 per cent of adults have had at least one vaccine dose, with 10 per cent of adults having had a second dose.

In Devon, take-up of the vaccine in every age group other than the 65-69s and the 50-54s is above 95 per cent, with the every other age group hitting at least the 90 per cent figure.

COVID-19 case numbers for Seaton area as of April 7:

As of April 7, there were fewer than three confirmed cases of coronavirus in Seaton and all immediately surrounding areas.

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

Nearby areas which also have fewer than three cases include Axminster; Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme; Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale; Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas; Chard North & East; Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland; Honiton North & East; Honiton South & West; Feniton & Whimple; Ottery St Mary & West Hill; Sidbury, Offwell & Beer; Sidmouth Town; Sidmouth Sidford; Poppleford, Otterton & Woodbury.

The only nearby area with more cases was Chard West, which had three confirmed cases as of April 7, a decrease off six on the previous week.

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