New Covid-19 cases in Cornwall and Devon falls to lowest level since September
The most recent figures show that of the 108 cases confirmed since May 14th, 26 were in the Duchy
The number of new coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall in the last week is at its lowest level the start of September.
A total of 108 new cases were confirmed across the two counties since May 14th, 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 September 6th - 12th and based on daily averages, would be below that figure even without the false positives being removed from totals.
The week of August 30th - September 5th was the last time the total was lower, when 96 cases were recorded.
While numbers in Exeter, South Hams and Teignbridge in the last week are slightly up - none by more than four cases - cases in Plymouth have nearly quartered in the last week, albeit slightly affected by a raft of false positives in the previous week.
Infection rates in Cornwall, Devon and Torbay are in the bottom ten in England with Plymouth just outside, but rates in the city are falling faster than anywhere else in the region.
What do the figures show?
Government statistics show that 108 new cases have been confirmed across the region in the past seven days in both pillar 1 data from tests carried out by the NHS and pillar 2 data from commercial partners, compared to 184 new cases confirmed last week.
Of the 108 new cases confirmed since May 14th, 26 were in Cornwall, 5 in East Devon, 11 in Exeter, 4 in Mid Devon, 6 in North Devon, 14 in Plymouth, 19 in South Hams, 13 in Teignbridge, 4 in Torbay, 2 in Torridge, and 4 in West Devon.
Of the 184 new cases confirmed between May 8th - 14th, 41 were in Cornwall, 15 in East Devon, 7 in Exeter, 8 in Mid Devon, 10 in North Devon, 48 in Plymouth, 17 in South Hams, 11 in Teignbridge, 16 in Torbay, 3 in Torridge and 8 in West Devon.
Infection rates are highest in the 0-19s across Devon and Cornwall - although lower than this time the same week - with eight of the 11 areas recording no cases in the over 80s.
At a district level, infection rates in South Hams and West Devon are highest in the 0-19s, in Torbay, Plymouth and East Devon in the 20-39s, Exeter and Teignbridge in the 40-59s, and in the 60-79s in Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge - with the latter area seeing its only cases in this age group.
No cases in the 0-19s in North Devon and Torridge, 20-39s in Torridge and West Devon, 40-59s in Torridge, 60-79s in West Devon, and over 80s in Torbay, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge and West Devon were recorded from specimens from May 9th - 15th.
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.
"Around one in three people who catch coronavirus do not show symptoms, so can spread the virus to others without knowing.
"And while vaccines reduce the chances of catching COVID-19 and passing it on, and of serious illness, they do not eliminate the risk as protection against the virus is not guaranteed.
"I ask people to remain ever vigilant of risk as we take in the latest easing of restrictions. We are allowed to do a little bit more now, but just because we can, doesn't mean we must".
He added: "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".
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon
You can check the latest coronavirus figures for Cornwall here.