Alarming rise in West Covid cases
THE number of people with coronavirus in the Westcountry has shown an alarming rise, in line with soaring cases across the country.
Thousands of new cases have been recorded across Devon and Cornwall in the latest available figures.
In Devon 4,789 new infections were recorded in the week up to Sunday, October 10. The infection rate rose to 403 per 100,000 of the population, higher than the UK average of 388 per 100,000. Meanwhile, in Cornwall, a total of 2,946 cases were confirmed, with cases continuing to spike across most age groups.
The case rate in the Duchy was 512 cases per 100,000, which compares with a regional and national average of 310 cases per 100,000 in the South West and 376 cases per 100,000 in England.
However, the number of deaths and Covid patients in hospital remains low in the West, with 78 patients in Devon hospitals and 23 in Cornwall. Fifteen people have died within 28 days of receiving a positive Covid test across Devon, and in Cornwall four new deaths have been recorded, in the week up to October 16.
Cornwall Council has called on people to still make sure they are doing everything they can to reduce the spread of the virus. It said: “We’re still heading in the wrong direction, with 2,946 new Covid-19 cases confirmed in the week leading up to October 9. Cornwall’s case rate is significantly higher than the national and regional average.”
The latest information from the UK Government’s coronavirus dashboard indicates that coronavirus cases are at their most prevalent among school-age children.
COVID figures have shot up across Devon, reflecting a surge in cases across the country which has brought the UK to its highest level since July.
In the week up to Sunday 10 October, 4,789 new infections were recorded across Devon – almost 900 (23%) more than the previous week. The infection rate has risen to 403 per 100,000 of the population, higher than the UK average of 388 per 100,000.
Every council area saw a rise in cases, with Torbay one of the hardest hit. After having a decline in cases in the previous seven days, the Bay suffered one of the largest proportional increases in Devon, recording 542 cases, 53% more than the previous week. The infection rate in Torbay is now 398 per 100,000. In Plymouth, latest figures show cases rose by almost a quarter, with 1,122 new cases; 221 more than the previous week. The infection rate in the city is now 427 per 100,000.
The Devon County Council area, which excludes Plymouth and Torbay, recorded 3,125 new cases, 330 (14%) more than the previous week. The infection rate in the area is 386 per 100,000.
West Devon saw infections rise more than any other district in the county council area. Cases soared by almost 60%, with 106 more than the previous week. The infection rate in West Devon is now the highest in the county at 517 per 100,000 of the population. The recent rise in case numbers in some parts of the county has led to an increase in people being treated for Covid in Devon’s hospitals.
The latest figures as at October 5 showed 78 Covid patients in the county’s hospitals, 34 of which were at Derriford and 25 at the RD&E. Of the total number of patients, nine were on mechanical ventilation beds. Fifteen more people have died within 28 days of receiving a positive Covid test across Devon. Nine were in the Devon County Council area and four in Torbay. Two deaths were recorded in Plymouth.
Meanwhile Cornwall Council has issued a plea to people in the county to “do everything they can to reduce the spread of the coronavirus”.
It comes as 2,946 cases were confirmed in the week leading up to October 9 with cases continuing to spike across most age groups.
They say that Cornwall’s case rate is significantly higher than both the national and regional average which is 310 cases per 100,000 in the South West and 376 cases per 100,000 in England – which compares to 512 cases per 100,000 in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
While deaths from the disease remain in single figures, with four deaths in the week up to October 16 and hospitalisations also remaining relatively low with 23 people admitted to Royal Cornwall Hospitals in the seven days up to October 10, coronavirus cases continue to increase, particularly in school-age groups.