The number of coronavirus cases confirmed across Devon and Cornwall has fallen by a third in the previous seven days, with declines everywhere.

A total of 2,327 new cases were confirmed across the two counties in the last week as the total for the two counties now stands at 41,388 – the lowest total for five weeks – and with Exeter and Plymouth seeing cases more than halve.

Government statistics show that 2,327 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 3,521 new cases confirmed last week.

Of the 2,327 cases confirmed since January 22, 1,005 were in Cornwall, with 152 in East Devon, 110 in Exeter, 107 in Mid Devon, 51 in North Devon, 382 in Plymouth, 80 in South Hams, 137 in Teignbridge, 211 in Torbay, 30 in Torridge and 62 in West Devon

This compared to the 3,521 cases confirmed between January 16 and 22.

Torridge is the area in England with the lowest infection rate (54 per 100,000), with North Devon second (67 per 100,000), East Devon fifth (111 per 100,000), South Hams sixth (114 per 100,000), Exeter eighth (126 per 100,000). Mid Devon is 12th (147 per 100,000), Teignbridge 13th (148 per 100,000), and West Devon 18th (158 per 100,000). Torbay’s infection rate is 168 per 100,000 with Cornwall’s at 176 per 100,000 and Plymouth’s at 208 per 100,000.

The latest positivity rates for tests carried out at 5.7% in Cornwall, 3.9% in East Devon, 4.9% in Exeter, 5.4% in Mid Devon, 2.3% in North Devon, 6.2% in Plymouth, 4.2% in South Hams, 4.7% in Teignbridge, 4.3% in Torbay, 1.5% in Torridge and 4.2% in West Devon. Every single area has seen positivity rates fall since last Friday.

As of Tuesday morning, there were 443 patients in hospital across Devon and Cornwall following a positive Covid-19 test, up from 426 as of last Tuesday.

In total, as of Tuesday, there were 80 patients at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (down from 95 as of Jan 19), 55 at the Nightingale (up from 44), 42 at Torbay Hospital (up from 34), 112 in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth (up from 110), 8 at North Devon District Hospital (up from 7), and three in Devon Partnership NHS Trust units (down from 4) although not all patients are local given some have been transferred to the region from elsewhere. There were 143 patients in Cornwall (up from 111) as well.

There were 48 patients in mechanical ventilation beds, with 19 in Derriford, 13 in Cornwall, 10 at the Royal Devon and Exeter, and six in Torbay, up from 39 as of last Tuesday.

The figures show the amount of patients in hospital following a positive COVID-19 test who are currently occupying a bed.

But not every patient would necessarily have been admitted to hospital due to COVID-19, with a number of patients either contracting the virus inside the hospital, or being admitted for unrelated reasons but subsequently testing positive asymptotically when given routine tests.

And as a percentage of total acute beds available, 3% of beds in North Devon are occupied with Covid patients, 5% in Torbay, 13% in Plymouth, 14% in Cornwall, and 16% in Exeter. North Devon and Torbay have the lowest percentage occupancy rates anywhere in England, while at a partnership level, Devon is the lowest, with Cornwall second lowest.

In the last week, there have been 73 deaths in Devon and Cornwall hospitals of patients within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test, with 28 at Derriford, 22 in Cornwall, 13 in Exeter, six in Torbay and four in North Devon.

In terms of the latest MSOA cluster maps, that cover the period of specimen dates between January 18 and January 24, there are 23 areas of Devon and Cornwall with between 0-2 cases, up from eight as of last Friday

They are: St Germans & St Mellion, Looe & Polperro, Wadebridge, St Just & Land’s End, Kilmington, Colyton & Uplyme, Poppleford, Otterton & Woodbury, Sidbury, Offwell & Beer, Sidmouth Sidford, Bow, Lapford & Yeoford, Bradninch, Silverton & Thorverton, Barnstaple South, Bratton Fleming, Goodleigh & Kings Heanton, Braunton, Ilfracombe East, Woolacombe, Georgeham & Croyde, Plymstock Goosewell & Staddiscombe, Yealmpton, Modbury & Aveton Gifford, Tedburn, Shillingford & Higher Ashton, Hartland Coast, Shebbear, Cookworthy & Broadheath, Winkleigh & High Bickington, Horrabridge & Mary Tavy and the Isles of Scilly

The MSOA areas in each region with the highest number of cases are Lostwithiel & Penwithick (44), Ottery St Mary & West Hill (26), Middlemoor & Sowton (25), Willand, Sampford Peverell & Halberton (28), Barnstaple Central (11), Mutley (35), Ivybridge (31), Ogwell, Mile End & Teigngrace (31), Wellswood (32), Holsworthy, Bradworthy & Welcombe (10) and Tavistock (33)

In terms of infection rates per age range, case rates are highest in the 20-39 age ranges across Devon and Cornwall, with the over 80s having the second highest infection rates but they are falling fastest. Plymouth, Exeter and Teignbridge still have the over 80s as the highest infection rates, with Cornwall, Torbay, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Torridge and West Devon in the 20-39s.

It comes as Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said that while cases of COVID-19 are now falling in Devon, case numbers are still much higher than they were in November and December.

He said: “It looks like the current restrictions are having a positive impact and we are starting to see cases come down. While clearly its good news cases are coming down, they are still higher than in November and December, so now is not the time to drop our guard, so please stay at home and stick to the rules.”