Exeter covid cluster falls 70 per cent

University area situation easing

The cluster of coronavirus cases in the Pennsylvania and university area of Exeter has dipped below 100 for the first time in more than two weeks.

Having reached a high figure of 322 on 10 October, latest figures covering 9 to 15 show a fall to 88 cases.

It comes as cases across Devon continue to slow downward trend and for the second day running, more clusters have dropped off the map than have been added to it, with seven clusters removed and six added.

Other high clusters linked to the university area have also dropped with Central Exeter, once more than 100, down to 36, and St James’s Park & Hoopern down to 22.

Exmouth Littleham (10), Mincinglake & Beacon Heath (12), Pinhoe & Whipton North (17), Heavitree East & Whipton South (14), St Thomas East (12), Middlemoor and Sowton (22), Alphington & Marsh Barton (12), Bishopsteignton & Shaldon (10), Shiphay & the Willows (11), and Chelston, Cockington & Livermead (10) are the other clusters in double figures.

While it doesn’t account for the total number of cases in Devon and Torbay, as any figure below three is counted as zero, the total cases within clusters has fallen from 697 on Sunday to 628 on Monday.

It comes as 132 new cases were confirmed across Devon and Cornwall on Monday.

There were 21 in Cornwall, 14 in East Devon, 23 in Exeter, 5 in Mid Devon, 6 in North Devon, 35 in Plymouth, 5 in the South Hams, 5 in Teignbridge, 11 in Torbay, two in Torridge, and five in West Devon.