PEOPLE in their 20s are still testing positive for COVID-19 more than any other age groups across Devon and Cornwall, except in Torbay where people in their 50s are.

The latest figures, based on tests reported between November 3 and November 9, continue to show that, as was the case last week, in Plymouth, Cornwall and the Devon County Council area, the 20-29 age group are still seeing the highest prevalence of cases.

But in Torbay, that is only the fourth highest age range, with the 40-49, 50-59 and 60-69 age ranges seeing more positive tests.

Across Torbay, Plymouth and Cornwall, the proportion of over 60s testing positive has risen in the last week, but there has been a small drop in the Devon County Council area in that age range.

All four areas have seen a drop in the proportion of those aged 10-19 testing positive – with one explanation likely to involve the time period of when the tests would have taken place coinciding with the half-term break.

The figures related to positive cases reported this week between November 3 and November 9, although do not necessarily relate to specimens from that time period.

Torbay has the highest percentage of cases in the 60+ age range (26.5%, up from 24% last week) and the second lowest in the 10-19 age range (7.7%, up from 10%). The Bay is seeing 20% of the positive cases in the 50-59 age range, and 18.5% in the 40-49 age range, and just 11.7% of people in their 20s.

Plymouth has the lowest percentage of cases in the 10-19 age range (6.7%, down from 8%), with the second lowest in the 60+ age range (17.7%, up from 14%). More than a quarter (25.8%) of positive tests are in the 20-29 age range.

Cornwall has the lowest proportion of those in the 60+ age range (15.6%, up from 14%), but the highest in the 10-19 age range (14%, down from 16%), and also is seeing more than a quarter (26.6%) of all cases in the 20-29 age range.

While in the Devon County Council area, the proportion of cases in the 60+ age range have dropped to 20% (from 21%), with a drop in the 10-19 age range (10%, down from 11%), with 21% of positives in the 20-29 age range.

Across the region, the 50-59 age group is seeing proportionally more cases than the 40-49 and 30-39 age ranges, except for in Plymouth.

by Daniel Clark, Local Democracy Reporter