Generally on the rise, except in hotspots

The number of people with covid in Devon rose again in many areas, but fell slightly in sensitive areas.

Figures for the week through Thursday, December 2 show rates in Plymouth and Torbay rose 23% and 17% respectively, while Devon County Council rates rose 8%.

That means the county continues to have covid rates significantly higher than the national average of 479 cases per 100,000 population. The figures for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay now stand at over 700.

The northern part of Devon continues to be the most infectious area, but infection rates in Torridge and North Devon have declined slightly from last week’s records – dropping to 1,009 and 854 respectively.

Elsewhere at the district level, West Devon saw an increase in cases of more than half to a new total of 698 cases per 100,000, while there was also a sharp increase of more than a third in southern Hams, making it now the third most infectious area in Devon.

Exeter also saw a one-fifth increase in cases, Teignbridge and East each had single-digit increases and there was a small drop in mid-Devon.

It comes as the new variant of covid – Omicron – recently requested an update to government guidelines, meaning that all contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless. their age or vaccination status.

Last week Dr Paul Johnson, chairman of the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: ‘We are still learning about the Omicron variant, but we can be clear that social distancing, regular hand washing and Wearing a mask when necessary can reduce the spread of all strains of covid-19 as well as seasonal flu.

“As the temperature drops, it’s really important to get the covid-19 and seasonal flu shot, if you’re eligible, in order to protect yourself, your loved ones and the NHS. “

HOSPITALIZATIONS

As of Tuesday, November 30, 148 covid patients were in hospitals in Devon, a reduction of 15 from last week. Sixty-three are at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, 42 at Royal Devon & Exeter, 23 in Torbay and 20 in North Devon.

Of the total number of patients, 12 are in ventilation beds.

DEATH

Fourteen other people died in the county within 28 days of testing positive for covid during the last full weekly period (through Wednesday, December 1). Five were in the Devon County Council area, one in Torbay and eight in Plymouth.

A total of 1,378 people in Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay) have died within 28 days of testing positive since the start of the pandemic.

VACCINATION

Vaccination percentages now include people aged 12 and over. The number of people who received at least one dose of the vaccine is 87% in Devon County Council, 85% in Torbay and 83% in Plymouth.

The proportion of people fully vaccinated with both vaccines is 81% in Devon, 79% in Torbay and 76% in Plymouth.