Number of Covid 19 cases in the South Hams falls again

The number of laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the South Hams has dropped again, to just four.

Devon County Councillor Roger Croad has shared the latest figures that show that cases have fallen across Devon, with the exception of Torbay, where numbers increased slightly, and East Devon, which Cllr Croad says is due to “significant outbreaks at two care homes in Sidmouth and Exmouth, where both residents and staff were affected”.

Between 6 and 12 March, there were four laboratory-confirmed cases in the South Hams, 174 in Devon, 70 in Plymouth, 68 in Cornwall and 33,033 in England. Sadly, between 3 and 9 March, there were 11 deaths in the South West Peninsula, eight in Devon, one in Torbay and two in Cornwall. There were 816 in England.

For the third week in four, there were zero cases in the 80+ age group, and for the first time, zero in the 69-79 age group too.

Up until 9 March, around 450,000 Devon residents have had at least one vaccine dose, about 42 per cent of the adult population, and 21,000 second doses have also been administered.

Cllr Croad said: "Apart from a few exceptions, figures are looking pretty good, but, as is evident in East Devon, the virus can still be passed on, even if vaccinated."

If you would like a Covid test, book one at one of the rapid testing sites across the South Hams by visiting devon.cc/testing. Your results are sent to you by text message, usually within the hour.

Many Covid-19 cases are asymptomatic, so get yourself a test if you think you need one, even if you’re not feeling unwell.

If you have any concerns about the vaccine, or about misinformation surrounding the pandemic, check out this highly informative blog post by Totnes-resident and science communicator Dr Emily Grossman: HERE.