Covid figures have shot up across Devon, reflecting a new surge in infections around the country which has brought UK cases to their highest level since mid-January.

In the week up to Sunday, 17 October, 5,726 new infections were recorded in Devon, 20 per cent more than in the previous week. The infection rate is now 460 per 100,000 of the population, slightly lower than the UK average which has spiked in the last seven-day period, reaching 465 infections per 100,000.

Every council area apart from Exeter saw a rise in cases. In Mid Devon transmissions have skyrocketed. Infections soared by 72 per cent with 527 new cases, 221 more than the previous week, bringing the rate to 633 per 100,000 of the population.

In contrast, 438 infections were reported in Exeter, nine fewer than the previous week. The two per cent dip takes the infection rate in the city to 329 per 100,000.

Overall, 3,908 cases were recorded in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay. That's a rise of 783 cases, or 25 per cent, on the previous week. The infection rate is now 482 per 100,000.

Plymouth saw cases rise by 10 per cent, with 1,231 infection, 107 more than the week before. The rate in the city is now at 468 per 100,000 people.

Torbay recorded 587 cases, 44 more than the previous week. The eight per cent rise takes the infection rate to 431 per 100,000.

Hospitalisations

As reported on Tuesday, 19 October, the rise in cases has led to an increase in the number of people being treated for covid in Devon's hospitals by 30.

Latest available figures (Tuesday, 12 October) show 108 covid patients in the county's hospitals; 40 of which are at Derriford in Plymouth, 34 at the RD&E, 18 in Torbay, 15 in North Devon and one at Devon Partnership mental health trust site. Of the total number of patients, 10 are in mechanical ventilation beds.

Devon's Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) expects the rate to continue rising as cases in the community increase. On Friday, 22 October, they reported that 810 NHS staff in Devon are off work because of covid, accounting for almost one in three NHS staff absences, up from just over one in five at the beginning of the month.

Deaths

Eighteen more people have died within 28 days of receiving a positive covid test across Devon. Fourteen were in the Devon County Council area and three in Torbay. One person died in Plymouth.

Across Devon, a total of 1,269 people have now died within 28 days of a positive covid test.

Vaccinations

Eighty-four per cent of people aged 12 and above have had their first dose of a vaccine in the Devon County Council area, with 79 per cent receiving both doses.

In Plymouth, 81 per cent have had one dose, while 74 per cent have had both.

In Torbay, 82 per cent have received one dose, while 77 per cent have had both jabs.

This means that vaccination rates in Devon remain slightly behind the rest of the UK. Across the country, 86 per cent of people aged 12 and over in the country have had one dose, while 79 per cent have had both jabs.

Thousands more people in Devon could soon receive their third jab. The government is under pressure to reduce the gap between second and third vaccinations from six months to protect more people from the spike in infections across the country.

Children aged between 12 and 15 can now book jabs through the national booking system. Locations taking children are: Home Park, Plymouth; Greendale Vaccination Centre, Exeter; English Riviera Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, and Barnstaple Leisure Centre.

Coronavirus in Dawlish and Teignbridge

These are the numbers for the seven days up to 19 October:

Starcross and Exminster: 68 cases (increase of 30)

Dawlish South: 23 cases (increase of 16)

Teignmouth South: 18 cases (increase of 1)