Covid deaths falling – but still remain high
THE number of deaths relating to coronavirus in Devon and Cornwall has fallen for the second week in a row – but they are at still at one of the highest levels throughout the pandemic.
The figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) which relate to the week of January 30 to February 5, but registered up to February 13, show that 92 of the 433 deaths registered in the two counties had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.
The 92 deaths is the fourth highest total for a single week, with only the previous two weeks, plus the week of April 11-17 in 2020, recording higher totals.
But the numbers are starting to fall and from next week the ONS figures should start to see the impact of the third national lockdown due to the time lag between infections and deaths.
Of the 92 deaths registered in Week 5 (January 30 to February 5), there were 30 deaths of people from Cornwall, 15 in Plymouth, 9 in Torbay, 9 in East Devon, 7 in Exeter, 7 in Teignbridge, 4 in North Devon, 1 in Mid Devon, 1 in the South Hams and 1 in Torridge. No deaths in the Isles of Scilly or West Devon were registered.
Of the deaths, 47 occurred in care homes, 41 in hospitals, with three at home, and one in a hospice.
The deaths were: Four deaths in a care home and 11 in hospital of someone from Plymouth; six deaths in a care home, two in hospital, and one at home of someone from Torbay; 17 deaths in a care home, 20 in hospital, and one at home of someone from Cornwall; five deaths in a care home and four in a hospital of people from East Devon; six deaths in a care home and one in a hospice of someone from Exeter; one death in a care home of someone from Mid Devon; three deaths in a hospital and one at home of someone from North Devon; one death in a care home of someone from the South Hams; seven deaths in a care home of people from Teignbridge and one death in a hospital of someone from Torridge.
A further seven deaths from Week 4 (January 23-29) have been added into the figures this week – one in Plymouth and East Devon, five in Cornwall; three deaths from Week 3 (January 16-22) – one in Plymouth, Cornwall and Teignbridge; and one death from Week 1 (January 2-8) – in Plymouth.
In total, 1,483 deaths from coronavirus have been registered across Devon and Cornwall, with 822 in hospitals, 556 in care homes, 95 at home, three in a hospice, three in a communal establishment and four ‘elsewhere’.
Of the deaths, 448 have been registered in Cornwall, 201 in Plymouth, 186 in East Devon, 147 in Torbay, 117 in Exeter, 110 in Teignbridge, 70 in Mid Devon, 70 in North Devon, 51 in Torridge, 48 in the South Hams and 35 in West Devon, and none on the Isles of Scilly.
So far in 2021, there have been 186 deaths in Cornwall, 62 in East Devon, 62 in Plymouth, 50 in Teignbridge, 44 in Exeter, 38 in Torbay, 24 in South Hams, 22 in Mid Devon, 14 in North Devon, 10 in Torridge and 7 in West Devon.
The figures show in which local authority the deceased’s usual place of residence was, rather than where they died.
The 92 deaths is the fourth highest total in the Westcountry for a single week during the pandemic
POLICE are searching for a burglar after they broke into a West Devon business – but took only photographs.
A post on Tavistock Police’s Facebook page says that the incident happened at 1am on Sunday, February 14, at a garage on Station Road in Lifton.
The burglar entered and exited the building through the roof, and while they did not take anything they were spotted photographing various items inside before leaving.
Police officers are hoping to find witnesses or people with more information about the incident.
PCSO Kevin Williams said: “Police are also reminding businesses to ensure that their premises are secure at all times.” He said crime prevention advice was available online.