Will lockdown easing be postponed, and what's the situation in Devon?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to confirm at 6pm today whether Step 4 of the government's roadmap out of lockdown will be postponed.

The uncertainty comes as the number of Covid-19 cases across the country is increasing, possibly due to the new Delta variant that originated in India.

What was the original plan?

Step 4 of the roadmap was due to take place no earlier than 21 June, and promised the removal of all legal limits on social contact.

It would have enabled the remaining restrictions on businesses such as nightclubs, and on large events and public performances, to be lifted.

What's the situation in Devon?

The number of new coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall in the last week is the highest it has been since the end of February, particularly in Cornwall.

Despite this, the vast majority of the cases are in groups which would not yet have been vaccinated, or have only received one dose of the vaccine, and cases of the Delta variant remain low.

Of the 444 new cases confirmed since June 4, 216 were in Cornwall, 9 in East Devon, 42 in Exeter, 13 in Mid Devon, 14 in North Devon, 77 in Plymouth, 11 in South Hams, 25 in Teignbridge, 18 in Torbay, 6 in Torridge and 13 in West Devon.

This compares to the 132 cases confirmed since between May 29 and June 4, of which 27 were in Cornwall, 8 in East Devon, 15 in Exeter, 9 in Mid Devon, 6 in North Devon, 34 in Plymouth, 6 in South Hams, 8 in Teignbridge, 13 in Torbay, 3 in Torridge and 3 in West Devon.

What about the Delta variant?

Latest Public Health England data, giving the position as of 9 June, show that nine cases of the Delta variant have been recorded in Exeter, seven in Torbay, five in Cornwall and Plymouth, less than five in East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge and Torridge, and none in West Devon.

Which groups are most affected?

Infection rates are highest in the 20-39s in every single region of Devon and Cornwall. In Devon, the 0-19s are the second highest.

Nine of the 11 areas over the two counties saw no cases in the over 80s, with only East Devon and North Devon seeing any cases, both seeing one positive.

How many people are in hospital?

The latest Government figures, which give the position as of 8 June, show that there are only five patients currently in hospital in Devon, and none in Cornwall - and none of them are in a mechanical ventilation bed.

In terms of hospital deaths, there was one in Cornwall on 10 June, the first since 19 May, and there have been none in Devon since one at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on 9 May.

How many people have had the vaccine?

As of as of 9 June, there have been 1,392,851 vaccines delivered in Devon, with 787,670 being a first dose, and 605,181 being a second dose.

An average of 76% of adults in Devon have had their first dose, and 53% have had their second.

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