Only two areas in Devon are 'cluster free' as England enters lockdown

The area with the highest infection rate is Cullompton - with 511 per 100,000

Author: Local Democracy Reporting ServicePublished 5th Jan 2021
Last updated 5th Jan 2021

Just two areas of Devon are ‘cluster free’ as the county heads into its third national lockdown.

Only Sidmouth Sidford (East Devon) and Bratton Fleming, Goodleigh & Kings Heanton (North Devon) saw between 0-2 positive coronavirus tests recorded by specimen date between December 24 and December 30.

The area with the highest number of positive rates, and the highest infection rate is Cullompton, with 45 cases and an infection rate of 511 per 100,000 – although the rise appears to primarily be in the over 80s age group as the increase is cases corresponded to a rise in infection rates in that age group.

Cranbrook, Broadclyst and Stoke Canon (35), Alphington and Marsh Barton (32), Ottery St Mary and West Hill (28), Loddiswell and Dartington (27), Bradninch, Silverton & Thorverton (23), St Leonard’s (22), St Thomas West (22) and Exmouth Littleham (21) are the other areas reporting more than 20 cases in that seven day period.

But the area which did earlier this week have the highest infection rate – Chagford, Princetown & Dartmoor – is now reporting only 11 cases for the seven day period, as the numerous cases confirmed at Dartmoor Prison no longer fall within the window of reporting.

In terms of the biggest changes as the December 30 specimens replace those from December 23, Torquay Central saw seven additional cases, Totnes Town rose from 0-2 to eight, while St Thomas West saw eight additional cases – the only three areas which saw a change of five or more in either direction.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.