Case rates still high, but vaccine rollout goes on
MORE than 200 people have now died from Covid-19 at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (RD&E) since the pandemic began.
NHS England data released yesterday, confirmed four more people have died at the hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total at the RD&E to 203.
Of the four new deaths, three happened on January 16 and one on January 17. No other coronavirus deaths were reported at any other hospital in Devon and Cornwall.
However, case rates across the South West remain high.
There were 204 new positive cases of coronavirus in Cornwall on January 17, according to the latest data from Public Health England.
There are clusters of Covid-19 cases across the county in all designated areas – with 12 of those areas reporting clusters in single figures in the week to January 12.
The area of the county with the highest number of new positive cases was Helston with 94 cases, following an outbreak at a care home there.
Helston had a case rate of 773 per 100,000 population – which is also the highest case rate in the county.
Anne Thomas, the CEO of Cornwall Care, which runs Trengrouse, said a significant number of residents and some staff had been affected by the outbreak of Covid-19.
The area with the second highest number of new positive cases in its cluster is Bodmin East, which has 58 new positive cases of Covid-19.
Churchlake Care owned Belmont House Nursing Home, on Love Lane, is currently being supported by Public Health England and Cornwall Council after an outbreak. Bodmin
‘A significant number of residents and some staff have been affected’ ANN THOMAS, CORNWALL CARE
East has a case rate of 687 per 100,000 population.
Bodmin East is followed by Bodmin West, which has 47 new positive cases, and a case rate of 587.6.
The latest Public Health data, published on Sunday, January 17, shows there had been 1,631 new positive coronavirus cases in the last seven days. But the rollout of the vaccine, which will shortly include anyone over 70 and those at special medical risk, is proceeding at pace.
A new Covid-19 vaccination centre has appeared at Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park ground as the NHS moves ahead with the programme across the South West.
While the exact date for when the vaccination centre will open its doors has not yet been revealed, locals have spotted workmen and healthcare staff putting the finishing touches to marquees outside the football ground with vaccinations believed to be starting in days.
Meanwhile pregnant women have been told they can only bring someone from their own household or support bubble to maternity appointments at Derriford Hospital in accordance with lockdown. The new update has been released by NHS chiefs in Plymouth as the hospital works to minimise the virus.