Over the last three days, there have been 33 new cases confirmed in East Devon. Of the clusters in the region; Clyst, Exton and Lympstone have recorded six cases, with four in Starcross and Exminster.

All Devon residents – especially the late teen to mid-twenties age group – are being urged to make renewed efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus following a large increase in cases in the county.

More than 300 new cases have been confirmed in the past two days – with 247 of them in Exeter – although a proportion of the cases have specimen date from last week due to the widely reported technical issue over the weekend with the dashboard.

Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health Devon, said that the rise in Exeter does require focused attention, but that it is still largely within the University of Exeter student population.

She said that the rise in non-University student cases in Exeter mirrors similar increases across the county, suggesting little evidence so far of spread into city communities, but that she is asking every Devon resident of all ages, but especially the late teen to mid-twenties, to make renewed efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Current MSOA cluster maps, which cover the period of September 25-October 1, show nine areas of Exeter with at least three cases. New clusters of three in Heavitree West and Polsloe, St Thomas East and Mincinglake and Beacon Heath were added to the map today, with four in St Leonard's, five in Pinhoe and Whipton North, seven in Middlemoor & Sowton, and then in the student heavy areas, 23 in St James's Park and Hoopern, 31 in Central Exeter and 127 in Pennsylvania & University.

Further clusters of cases on the outskirts of Exeter include Cranbrook, Broadclyst and Stoke Canon (5), Clyst, Exton and Lympstone (6), Starcross and Exminster (4), with other clusters in Devon of Bradninch, Silverton and Thorverton (5), Dawlish North (3), Teignmouth South (4), Ashburton and Buckfastleigh (3), Tavistock (3) and Bere Alston, Buckland Monachorum and Yelverton (4). The cluster in South Molton though has dropped off the map.

Over the last three days, there have been 33 new cases confirmed in East Devon, 285 in Exeter, 14 in Mid Devon, nine in North Devon, ten in the South Hams, 21 in Torbay, 24 in Teignbridge, six in Torridge and seven in West Devon, with a further 110 in Cornwall and 62 in Plymouth – although with the data lag, many of the cases are from nearly, if not, more than, a week ago.

But Dr Pearson said that while Devon has seen a sharp rise in the number of reported positive cases, as the national test and trace reporting system works through its widely reported technical issue over the weekend, the delay in reporting of the most recent cases has not held up any local interventions around track and trace.

She said: "We expect to see confirmed cases continue to rise while the national reporting is refreshed. Despite the rise, the county of Devon still has fewer confirmed cases than most other local authority areas of comparable population and density.

"However, the latest data does now show a rise in Exeter, still largely within the University of Exeter student population, that requires focused attention.

"We have been working very closely with Public Health England, the University of Exeter and Exeter City Council, and already measures have been taken to reduce the wider spread of infection.

"They include restricting movement between University student households in the city, and increased testing capacity for their students and staff.

Analysis to date has shown infection spreading in social settings and in and between student households and accommodation, and we are continuing to work with the University to reduce risk in that context.

"The rise in non-University student cases in Exeter mirrors similar increases across the county, suggesting little evidence so far of spread into city communities.

"We ask every Devon resident of all ages, but especially the late teen to mid-twenties, to make renewed efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

"If you have symptoms – high temperature, new and continuous cough, or change in your sense of smell or taste – you must self-isolate straight away.

"Do that, then arrange the test.

"If a person in your household tests positive, all members of the household must self-isolate for the full 14 days. Other members of the household do not need to be tested unless they develop symptoms.

"If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace because you have been in close contact with a confirmed case, advising you to self-isolate for 14 days, do so for the full duration. Self-isolation properly is vital to reducing the risk of infection spreading. There must not be short cuts.

"These rules require us all to pay attention and to take individual and collective responsibility. The sooner we control the spread of the infection, the sooner we can expect restrictions to loosen.

"We are monitoring the latest data very closely so that we can be quick to respond and can assess whether the restrictions currently in place are sufficient, or whether additional tighter measures are required."