COVID-19: Cases rising in East Devon

There has been a rise of Covid-19 cases in East Devon over the last week, new statistics have revealed.

Of the 1,395 new cases recorded in the region, 116 were in East Devon, 252 in Exeter, 47 in Mid Devon, 55 in North Devon, 369 in Plymouth, 89 in Teignbridge, 182 in Torbay, 18 in Torridge, 188 were in Cornwall, and 35 in West Devon.

This compares to the 1,113 cases from last week - where there was 69 in East Devon, 379 in Exeter, 39 in Mid Devon, 50 in North Devon, 176 in Plymouth, 41 in the South Hams, 170 in Cornwall, 71 in Teignbridge, 88 in Torbay, 23 in Torridge and 27 in West Devon.

Scroll to the bottom of this story to see COVID-19 statistics broken down by area for Exmouth, Budleigh, Sidmouth, Ottery, Honiton and Exeter.

Government statistics showed there were 1,395 new cases across the region, this included tests done by the NHS and commercial partners. This compared to 1,113 new cases confirmed last week.

Cases in Plymouth and Torbay have seen sharp rises, having doubled in the last week, with a large rise in East Devon also recorded, and small rises in Mid Devon, North Devon, Teignbridge, the South Hams, and West Devon recorded.

But cases in Torridge have dropped, while in Exeter, cases are down by a third on last week, mainly driven by a reduction in cases linked to the University, and a sharp fall in cases in Exeter has outweighed the rises elsewhere in the region to see 13 fewer cases confirmed within the Devon County Council area in the last week.

Maps by specimen date show cases are trending down in Exeter, North Devon, Teignbridge, and Torridge, with Cornwall and West Devon fairly flat.

Mid Devon and South Hams are seeing a shallower rise in cases that is beginning to level off, but East Devon, and particularly Plymouth and Torbay have seen sharp rises.

The number of people in hospital in the South West has risen to 248 from 151 as of last week and there are currently 21 people on a mechanical ventilator.

NHS 111 data for Devon has fallen – although only slightly – in the past seven days, while Cornwall's is slightly up.

Deaths in hospital have been reported this week in Derriford (2), Torbay (7) and North Devon (2) hospitals following a positive COVID-19 test.

It comes as Steve Brown, the deputy director for Public Health Devon has confirmed that Exeter case numbers are now back to 'broadly' the national average.

Mr Brown said: "When we look at those people who are testing positive for COVID we are seeing an increase in the age profile. So we're seeing now working age and older adults who are testing positive for COVID-19. Again (that's) similar to what we see across the country."

He described the reduction in cases in Exeter as great news and testament to all the work that the university and colleagues have done.

"While the numbers are low in Devon at the moment, it's really important that we do all we can to maintain that," he said.

In terms of clusters of three or more, below is a list of cases broken down locally – the figures are as of Friday, October 23 covering Tuesday, October 13 to Monday, October 19.

COVID-19 statistic broken down by area:

Sidbury, Offwell and Beer

Newton Poppleford, Otterton and Woodbury: 4.

Clyst, Exton and Lympstone:

Pennsylvania and University

Pinhoe and Whipton North: 13.

St James's Parka and Hoopern: 26.

Exwick and Foxhayes: 3.

Heavitree West and Polsloe: 8

Heavitree East and Whipton South: 13.

Central Exeter: 20.

St Leonard's: 11.

St Thomas East: 13.

Middlemoor and Sowton: