Cornwall has 'lowest coronavirus infection rate' in the country
Over the weekend the Duchy and Devon saw the lowest number of daily Covid cases confirmed since the start of September
As step 3 of England’s roadmap out of lockdown kicks into place from today, Devon and Cornwall saw the lowest number of daily coronavirus cases confirmed since the start of September over the weekend.
Saturday saw 14 new cases in the two counties confirmed (but a net 13 as a previous false positive in Mid Devon was removed), before Sunday saw 13 new cases confirmed (a net 12 as a previous false positive in Torbay was removed).
The two daily figures are the lowest since 12 cases were confirmed on September 3, with August 29 and nine cases being the last time the daily total was in single figures.
At an upper tier level, Cornwall has England’s lowest infection rate (7.2/100,000), with Devon at 9.6/100,000, and Torbay at 13.9/100,000.
Plymouth’s infection rate of 23.7/100,000 is above the average for England, but is falling, and will continue to fall over the next couple of days.
While infection rates in West Devon, East Devon, Torridge and Mid Devon are slightly up, they are all less than half the national average, and in all cases, the rise is equivalent to less than one additional confirmed case a day.
In terms of patients in hospital following a positive Covid-19 test, North Devon District Hospital has had no patients since April 3, Derriford Hospital in Plymouth has had no patients since April 25, and Torbay Hospital none since April 13 (and that was just one for one day – the only day with a patient since March 30).
The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has seven patients, its lowest total since October 13, with three in Cornwall.
There have been no Covid-19 deaths in any of Devon and Cornwall’s hospitals since April 29, with this being the longest period since September without a death occurring.
At an MSOA level, for cases with a specimen between May 5 and 11, there are only 20 areas across Devon and Cornwall which recorded three or more positives, with no area seeing more than five.
Only one area of Cornwall (St Germans & St Mellion) is currently recording a cluster, while there are no areas of Exeter, Mid Devon, Teignbridge or Torridge.
The 20 areas are:
Southway, Plymouth (3)
Tamerton Foilot, Plymouth (3)
King’s Tamerton & West Park, Plymouth (3)
Honicknowle & Manadon, Plymouth (5)
Higher Compton & Eggbuckland, Plymouth (3)
Keyham, Plymouth (4)
Peverell, Plymouth (3)
Efford, Laira & Crabtree, Plymouth (5)
Stoke & Pennycomequick, Plymouth (3)
Cattedown & Prince Rock, Plymouth (4)
Millbay & Stonehouse, Plymouth (4)
Wellswood, Torbay (3)
Preston & Shorton, Torbay (4)
St Germans & St Mellion, Cornwall (3)
Exmouth Littleham, East Devon (3)
Barnstaple Pilton, North Devon (3)
South Brent & Cornwood, South Hams (3)
Ivybridge, South Hams (3)
Chillington, Torcross & Stoke Fleming, South Hams (4)
Bere Alston, Buckland Monachorum & Yelverton, West Devon (4)
Step 3 restrictions, which came into force from 00.01am, reintroduce indoor mixing, with the rule of six or two households, while outdoor mixing is now allowed in groups of up to 30 or two households.
Pubs and restaurants can resume service indoors, and as well as this, hotels, B&Bs, indoor adult group sports, exercise, children’s play areas, and cinemas are all reopening.
Some larger outdoor events may now go ahead from Monday, too, such as sporting events of up to 10,000 people, or half-full (whichever is lower), with inside, sporting events with a capacity of 1,000 people, or half capacity, can go ahead too.