COVID cases continue to increase across Devon and in Seaton area

Coronavirus cases have continued to increase is most areas of Devon, according to the latest figures.

In the seven-day period up until August 15, cases increased in every district except for small drops in Plymouth, Exeter and North Devon.

The biggest increase was in West Devon, which saw its infection rate rise by more than 40 per cent. At 285 per 100,000 people, this is still lower than the UK average.

Torbay continues to have the highest infection rate in Devon, with cases rising by 20 per cent to a rate of 570 cases per 100,000 people.

Despite a decrease in the latest figures, Exeter still has the county's second highest infection rate at 470 per 100,000 people, whilst Plymouth's is now at 372.

They are well above the national average rate, which is currently 304 cases per 100,000.

There was also a significant increase in Teignbridge, which now has the third highest rate in Devon. Here, 575 new cases were registered and 426 people per 100,000 have the virus according to the data.

East Devon, Mid Devon and Torridge also recorded smaller rises.

HOSPITALISATIONS

The number of people in hospital with COVID across Devon has risen since the last update.

The latest figures, up to August 17, show 120 patients with the virus in Devon's hospitals – a rise of 31 on the previous week.

Of the 120 patients, 48 are at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 34 are at the Royal Devon & Exeter, 24 are in Torbay and 14 are being cared for in North Devon.

Eighteen people are on mechanical ventilation beds.

DEATHS

Eight people died in the county within 28 days of testing positive for COVID in the latest complete seven-day period up to and including Sunday, August 15.

Six were in the Devon County Council area, one in Plymouth and one in Torbay.

A total of 1,079 people in Devon have died within 28 days of a positive test since the pandemic began. This includes 216 in Plymouth and 165 in Torbay.

Across the UK, 131,487 people have died within four weeks of testing positive.

VACCINATIONS

The number of adults aged 18 or over who have received at least one dose of a vaccine is now 87 per cent in the Devon County Council area, 86 per cent in Torbay and 84 per cent in Plymouth.

The proportion of people who are now fully vaccinated with both jabs is now 77 per cent in Devon, 77 per cent in Torbay and 72 per cent in Plymouth.

COVID CASES IN SEATON AREA

In line with the region picture, coronavirus cases in the Seaton area have increased according to the latest figures.

In the seven-day period up until August 17, there were 22 confirmed cases in Axminster, an increase of 14 on the previous week.

This means the case rate per 100,000 people is 292 – below the national average of 304.

Figures have also increased in almost every surrounding area, including a concerning increase of 42 in Sidford.

The figures for neighbouring areas up until August 17 were as follows:

Axminster – 22 (increase of 19)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme – 26 (increase of 18)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale – 22 (increase of 19)

Sidbury, Offwell & Beer – 19 (increase of 9)

Sidmouth Town – 18 (same as previous week)

Sidmouth Sidford – 63 (increase of 42)

Honiton South & West – 33 (increase of 17)

Honiton North & East – 21 (decrease of 3)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland – 14 (increase of 7)

Chard West –16 (increase of 7)

Chard North & East – 23 (increase of 9)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas – 18 (increase of 11)