New COVID-19 cases in Devon & Cornwall lowest since September; East Devon numbers down

A total of 108 new cases were confirmed across Devon and Cornwall last week – with the total since the start of the pandemic at 48,287 – although the numbers may be slightly higher given Tuesday's figures saw a raft of false positives removed from the dataset giving a negative total for the day.

Even so, it is the lowest weekly total since 154 were recorded in the week of 6-12 September, and based on daily averages, would be below that figure even without the false positives being removed from totals.

The week of 30 August - 5 September was the last time the total was lower, when 96 cases were recorded.

Numbers in Exeter, South Hams and Teignbridge are slightly up – none by more than four cases – while cases in Plymouth have nearly quartered in the last week.

Just 108 new cases have been confirmed since 14 May in a sharp decrease on the 184 new cases recorded between 8-14 May.

East Devon has seen just five new cases since 14 May, down from 15 in the previous week of 8-14 May.

Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said: "While coronavirus is still present in our communities, and people are still at risk of catching it and spreading it, the common sense approach is the cautious approach.

"Make testing part of your regular week.

"Build it into a routine, and use the lateral flow device tests as well when you know you're likely to be meeting up with friends or family.

"These tests are so fast now that you will have your result and peace of mind in half an hour.

"If it comes back positive, then you'll prevent others from catching it by staying home and arranging a confirmatory test."

There are now just four patients in hospitals in Devon and Cornwall following a positive Covid-19 test, with none on ventilators, and no deaths since 29 April.

The impact of England moving out of lockdown last week (Monday 17 May) is yet to be seen in the statistics.