Covid cases up again in the South Hams

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the South Hams has increased again, but the rate has slowed since last week. 

Between 18-24 July there were 331 cases in the South Hams, up from 272 the week before, which is a rise of 22 percent. 

Cases of the Delta variant have risen in Devon, and the confirmed cases per 100,000 are Devon 395.6; South Hams 380.4; Torbay 653.9; Plymouth 816.9; Cornwall 385.1 and England 499.2. 

Between 15-21 July there were another four deaths in the South West Peninsula, on top of five last week. Two people died in Cornwall, one in Torbay and one in Devon. 313 people died in England. So far since the start of the pandemic, 129,000 people have lost their lives. 

There has also been a 33 percent rise in the number of Covid-related patients in Devon's hospitals since last week, from 43 to 57, with more people in intensive care. 

Vaccination numbers are still climbing, and is the best way to protect yourself and others from this virus. If you haven’t booked yours yet, visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

While getting your vaccination cannot guarantee you don’t catch Covid, it makes it much less likely. You’re also much less likely to get seriously ill if you do catch it, and much less likely to spread the virus to others.

If you’re worried about vaccine safety or effectiveness, read this article from Totnes resident and renowned science-communicator Dr Emily Grossman: www.totnespulse.co.uk/covid-19-have-you-got-questions/