Coronavirus crisis: Honiton records 21 cases as one of worst hit areas in Devon

The number of new coronavirus cases confirmed in the last seven days across Devon has fallen, but risen in Cornwall.

More than 2,000 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the last seven days across the two counties – the highest weekly number yet – taking the total since the beginning of the pandemic to 14,071.

Clusters recorded in Honiton and surrounding area (Nov 2-Nov 8):

Honiton South and West: 12

Honiton North and East: 9

Ottery St Mary and West Hill: 18

Feniton and Whimple: 15

Axminster: 7

Dunkesewell, Upottery and Stockland: 4

Honiton currently has one of the highest infection rates in Devon, with 21 recorded cases across the town.

Any cases confirmed in the last week almost certainly relate to infections caught prior to the second lockdown beginning, with any effect of that not likely to be seen until the start of next week.

Government statistics show that 2,068 new cases have been confirmed across the region in the past seven days, compared with 1,946 new cases confirmed last week.

Rises have been seen across Plymouth, Torridge, West Devon, and East Devon.

East Devon remains the worst hit area within the Devon County Council area.

But Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, the South Hams and Teignbridge have all seen cases fall – all of them only by single figures – while cases in Torbay, still high, have dropped by 10 per cent.

Of the 2,068 new cases confirmed since November, 217 were in East Devon.

This compares to 1,946 new cases confirmed between October 31 and November 5, of which 207 in East Devon.

Graphs by specimen date show cases are rising in East Devon, Torridge and West Devon, as well North Devon and Plymouth, although the latter two show a small decrease in the most recent day's data.

Cases in Exeter and the South Hams by specimen date remain fairly level, with Teignbridge is decreasing, as is Torbay and Mid Devon.

The worst hit areas across the other parts of the region are Morchard Bishop, Copplestone and Newton St Cyres with 10, Yealmpton, Modbury and Aveton Gifford with 11, Ogwell, Mile End and Teigngrace with 18, Bideford South and East with 16 and Okehampton with 17.

The number of people in hospital in the South West has risen to 759 from 514 from last week.

However, admissions data has stopped rising, and the most recent day of data available was the lowest since October 30.

There are currently 58 people on a mechanical ventilator, down from 67 as of last Friday.

NHS England figures show that as of Tuesday morning, there were 220 patients across Devon and Cornwall, in hospital after a positive Covid-19 test.

But the numbers of patients in Mechanical Ventilation beds has fallen in the last seven days, with 17 patients, as of November 10, compared to 18, as of November 3.

The figures show the amount of patients in hospital following a positive Covid-19 test who are currently occupying a bed. But not every patient would necessarily have been admitted to hospital due to Covid-19.

A number of patients either contract the virus inside the hospital, or after being admitted for unrelated reasons, but subsequently test positive asymptotically when given routine tests.

In the last eight days, 16 people have died in hospitals in Devon following a positive Covid-19 test, with one in North Devon and Cornwall, four in Plymouth and five in Torbay and Exeter.

In total, East Devon has had 1130 positive cases.

It comes as the leader of Devon County Council has thanked Devon residents for responding positively to the national lockdown restrictions to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

Cllr John Hart, leader of the council, said: "The figures suggest that fewer people are out and about, and making journeys only if and when they're necessary.

"That's what we need to see. I want to thank our residents for the positive way that they have so far responded to this second national lockdown.

"Even with the welcome announcement this week of a vaccine, we must not become complacent. While that of course is an excellent breakthrough, we must not relax our efforts. We must continue to follow the national rules around Space, Face and Hands."