Coronavirus case rates are high across the South West

Published: 23 August 2021

Coronavirus case rates have increased and are now very high across Devon, Cornwall and the South West, with all eight of the county’s district areas now above the national case rate average.

Positive cases in Devon are mostly in the 15 to 19 year old population, who are as yet unvaccinated, or only recently vaccinated.

But the high case rate is not reflected to the same degree in coronavirus-related hospital admissions or deaths.

Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said:

“We’re now seeing case rates rising again nationally.  There are regional fluctuations, but the highest case rates are here in the South West.

“What we’re seeing now is not unexpected – with the removal of most restrictions and the opening up of opportunities for socialisation, positive cases were going to rise.   Case rates are similarly high in other parts of the country that are popular to visit and where there’s a lot of socialisation, such as Blackpool, Isle of White, Bournemouth and Brighton.

“We should do everything we can to reduce the risk of transmission, to protect ourselves, our friends and families, but while people are not becoming as ill with the virus as they were, it’s a case of continuing to monitor the situation closely, and to be able to act quickly in response to any outbreaks of concern.”

The public health advice remains the same.

• limiting our social contacts to stop the virus spreading
• meeting others outside, because that’s safer than meeting inside
• continuing to wear face coverings when indoors in public places
• washing your hands properly and regularly
• having the jab if you are an adult and haven’t yet had it. Please have both doses as soon as you can.  If you’re aged 16 to 18, please take up the vaccination when offered to you
• self-isolating if told to do so by NHS Test and Trace
• self-isolating and arranging a PCR test if you show any symptoms of having the virus – the high temperature, new and continuous cough, or change of your usual sense of taste or smell