The number of coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall fell by a third last week, with declines in every region.

A total of 2,327 new cases were confirmed across the two counties last week as the total, the lowest for five weeks with Exeter and Plymouth seeing cases more than halve.

Of the 2,327 cases confirmed since January 22, 1,005 were in Cornwall, with 152 in East Devon, 110 in Exeter, 107 in Mid Devon, 51 in North Devon, 382 in Plymouth, 80 in South Hams, 137 in Teignbridge, 211 in Torbay, 30 in Torridge and 62 in West Devon

This compared to the 3,521 cases confirmed between January 16 and 22, of which 1,229 were in Cornwall, with 221 in East Devon, 258 in Exeter, 127 in Mid Devon, 72 in North Devon, 794 in Plymouth, 147 in South Hams, 245 in Teignbridge, 278 in Torbay, 39 in Torridge and 111 in West Devon.

Increase in hospital admissions

As of last Tuesday morning, there were 443 patients in hospitals across Devon and Cornwall following a positive COVID-19 test, up from 426 the previous week.

This included 80 patients at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (down from 95 as of January 19), 55 at the Exeter Nightingale (up from 44), 42 at Torbay Hospital (up from 34), 112 in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth (up from 110), eight at North Devon District Hospital (up from seven), and three in Devon Partnership NHS Trust units (down from four).

However, not all patients are local as some have been transferred to the region from neighbouring counties.

There were 48 patients in mechanical ventilation beds, with 19 in Derriford, 13 in Cornwall, 10 at the Royal Devon and Exeter, and six in Torbay, up from 39 as of last Tuesday.

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

In the last week, there have been 73 deaths in Devon and Cornwall hospitals within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test, with 28 at Derriford, 22 in Cornwall, 13 in Exeter, six in Torbay and four in North Devon.

In terms of infection rates per age range, case rates are highest in the 20-39 age ranges across Devon and Cornwall, with the over 80s having the second highest infection rates but they are falling fastest.

Plymouth, Exeter and Teignbridge still seeing the highest infection rates in the over 80s, with Cornwall, Torbay, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Torridge and West Devon in the 20-39 age range.

'Not the time to drop our guard'

It comes as Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said that while cases of COVID-19 are now falling, case numbers are still much higher than they were in November and December.

He said: "It looks like the current restrictions are having a positive impact and we are starting to see cases come down. While clearly its good news cases are coming down, they are still higher than in November and December, so now is not the time to drop our guard, so please stay at home and stick to the rules."

More than 150,000 vaccinations in Devon have been carried out, more than anywhere else in the South West.

Latest NHS England figures, which provide the position as of January 24, show that 157,181 vaccinations in the county had taken place, with 145,148 of them being the first dose.

This means that 14.5 per cent of the population has received their first jab.

Local case rates for seven day period up until January 26:

Seaton - 6 (no change on previous week)

Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme - 10 (increase of 8)

Sidmouth Town - fewer than three (in small areas with fewer than three cases, full data is not provided to protect individuals' identities)

Sidmouth Sidford - 4 (increase of 2)

Ottery St Mary & West Hill - 22 (increase of 8)

Honiton South & West - 5 (decrease of 7)

Honiton North & East - 11 (decrease of 14)

Feniton & Whimple - 8 (decrease of 2)

Axminster - 7 (decrease of 6)

Dunkeswell, Upottery & Stockland - 8 (decrease of 11)

Tatworth & Combe St Nicholas - 14 (increase of 2)

Chard West - 44 (decrease of 16)

Chard North & East - 50 (decrease of 9)

Lyme Regis, Charmouth & Marshwood Vale - fewer than three (in small areas with fewer than three cases, full data is not provided to protect individuals' identities)