The widely-reported technical glitch in the recording of COVID-19 cases by the UK Government means that Cornwall’s figures, while still relatively low, have risen somewhat and further new ‘clusters’ of cases have emerged in South East Cornwall.
A ‘cluster’ is defined as three or more cases in an area of approximately 7,500 people.
Since the Track and Trace computer glitch was resolved, eight new virus clusters have emerged across Cornwall as a whole, and four of those are in the east of the Duchy.
The new clusters are three cases in the St Germans and St Mellion area; three cases in the area of Lostwithiel and Penwithick; three cases in the area of Altarnun and Stoke Climsland; and three cases in Launceston.
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Of the previously reported clusters in South East Cornwall, the Kingsand, Antony and Maryfield cases have risen slightly from 13 to 14 cases, and the Saltash Town and Pillmere cluster has risen slightly from four cases to five, but the Lanreath, Pelynt and Polruan cases have shown a big drop from 15 cases to five.
However, it should be noted that the number of cases in Cornwall is still significantly below the England average, standing at 25 cases for every 100,000 people compared with the national average of 45 per 100,000.
Meanwhile, Devon now has 40 clusters and cases in the Exeter University and Pennsylvania area yesterday jumped from 127 to 223, making it one of England’s top 10 COVID-19 cases hotspots.