The number of COVID-19 cases has fallen across the board in Devon, mirroring the national reduction in the virus.

Figures for the week up to February 10 show that the rate in the Devon County Council area and Torbay both dropped by around 30 per cent, with a 23 per cent fall in Plymouth.

However, as COVID-19 cases began to fall earlier elsewhere in the country, Devon is still above the UK average rate of 642 cases per 100,000 people.

Devon's current rate is 831 and Torbay's is 823, while the figure is slightly higher in Plymouth at 944.

At a district level, Torridge, Exeter and North Devon all recorded falls of over a third in the past week, with infections in Teignbridge and the South Hams dropping by just under 30 per cent.

The new figures mean Torridge – once one of the most infectious areas in the country for COVID-19 – now remains the least prevalent area in Devon at 520 cases per 100,000.

Exeter and East Devon have the joint-highest district rate of 980.

The latest data shows a continued sharp reduction of cases among younger age groups, who had previously been instrumental in the New Year rise in cases following their return to education.

Hospitalisations

As of the latest data on February 8, there were 183 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals across Devon, a reduction of 43 from the previous week. The majority – a total of 100 – were in Plymouth.

Elsewhere, 43 patients were at the Royal Devon & Exeter, 29 in Torbay and 11 in North Devon.

Deaths

Twenty-six more people died in the county within 28 days of testing positive for COVID in the week up to February 10. Thirteen were in the Devon County Council area, three in Torbay and ten in Plymouth.

A total of 1,606 people in Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay) have died within 28 days of a positive test since the pandemic began.

Vaccinations

The number of people aged over 12 who have received their booster (third) covid vaccination is 71 per cent in the Devon County Council area, 66 per cent in Torbay and 60 per cent in Plymouth.

Take-up for at least one dose of a vaccine is 88 per cent in the Devon County Council area, 86 per cent in Torbay and 85 per cent in Plymouth.

The proportion of people who have had two jabs is 84 per cent in Devon, 81 per cent in Torbay and 80 per cent in Plymouth.

COVID cases in the Axminster area

Despite decreases across Devon, there was a very small increase in COVID-19 cases in Seaton, according to the latest available figures.

In the seven-day period up to February 12, there were 47 confirmed cases in the Seaton area, an increase of two on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people was 621.4 – still below the Devon County Council rate of 831 and national average of 642.

Infections have, however, decreased in most surrounding areas. The figures for neighbouring areas up until February 12 were as follows:

Axminster – 73 (decrease of 18)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 49 (decrease of 31)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 36 (decrease of 10)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 34 (decrease of 10)

Sidmouth Town – 24 (decrease of 48)

Sidmouth Sidford – 41 (decrease of 12)

Ottery St Mary & West Hill – 140 (decrease of 21)

Honiton South & West – 42 (decrease of 48)

Honiton North & East – 52 (decrease of 34)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 37 (decrease of 15)

Chard West – 90 (decrease of 24)

Chard North & East – 76 (decrease of 21)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 68 (decrease of 24)