AFTER dropping during the past few weeks, covid cases have once again risen in all parts of Devon.

In the latest complete seven day period (to Sunday, January 23) the county recorded 12,745 new cases, 2,290 more than in the previous week.

The 22 per cent rise takes the infection rate across Devon to 1,120 per 100,000 of the population, higher than the national average of 954.

The Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, recorded the largest spike, with a 29 per cent (+1,816) rise.

Its 8,176 new cases take the area’s infection rate to 1,009 per 100,000.

Torbay continues to have the highest infection rate in the county, with 1,270 cases per 100,000 of the population.

The latest figures record 1,730 infections in the Bay; 181 (12 per cent) more than the previous week.

Plymouth’s 2,839 new cases are 279 (12 per cent) more than the previous week. The infection rate is 1,080 per 100,000 of the population.

The spike is a setback for the city’s health services.

Speaking recently Kevin Baber, chief operating officer of Plymouth Hospitals said the number of people waiting for treatment at Derriford is 40,000; up 10,000 since the beginning of the pandemic.

More than 3,000 people have been waiting for more than a year and 461 patients, primarily needing elected orthopaedics or spinal surgery, who have waited more than two years.

Mr Baber said the pandemic has taken a toll on NHS workers in Plymouth, noting “an increasing number of staff who are off sick with stress, anxiety, depression and covid PTSD.”

Hospitalisations

As of the most recent data (from Wednesday, January 25) 240 patients with covid were in Devon’s hospitals.

The majority (188) are in Derriford.

A total of 27 people are being cared for at the RD and E in Exeter, while a further 25 are being treated in Torbay Hospital.

Three patients in Devon are in mechanical ventilation beds.

Deaths

A total of 19 people died within 28 days of receiving a positive covid test across Devon in the most recent complete seven-day period (to Sunday, January 23), six more than last week.

A total of 10 people died in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay. Five deaths were recorded in Torbay and four in Plymouth.

Across Devon, a total of 1,518 people have now died within 28 days of a positive covid test.

Vaccinations

A total of 88 per cent of people aged 12 and above have had their first dose of a vaccine in the Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, with 83 per cent receiving both doses and 70 per cent have now had their “booster” dose.

Joe Ives

LDRS