Friday 2 October
In this update:
- Testing figures increase
- Additional measures for University of Exeter students
- Quit smoking and breathe easier
- Why self-isolating is vital
- Advice for car sharing
- Libraries play an essential part in local recovery
- Spread the cost of your tax bill
 Testing figures increase in Devon
The latest figures show another rise in the number of COVID-19 tests provided in Devon.
10,900 tests (Pillar 2) were carried out during the week ending 25 September, a significant rise on the 7,600 test carried out during the previous week.
Test resources had been diverted to other parts of the country where infection rates and demand for COVID-19 testing is higher. That had, for a time, left Devon residents struggling to book tests locally and quickly.
Steve Brown, the Deputy Director for Public Health Devon, said:
"The latest numbers show another rise in the number of tests carried out in Devon, and we are hearing fewer reports of delay or having to travel distances to attend a test.
"Overall, the county is still comparably very low down the table for the number of confirmed coronavirus cases. We have the immediate increase in cases in Exeter for which there is no evidence of spread within the community, but confirmed cases in our seven other District areas are still low.
“Testing resources in the main are keeping up with demand in Devon, and I ask anyone who is showing symptoms – the high temperature, new and continuous cough, or change in their sense of taste or smell – to self-isolate immediately and book a test.”
 Additional measures for University of Exeter students
They have asked all of their students who live in the city not to meet indoors with anyone who is not part of their household, for 14 days (from Monday 28 September).
Analysis of the positive cases so far suggests that the infection is passing between individuals largely in social and residential settings, rather than in educational settings, which is why the additional measure is focusing on students’ households.
"We are monitoring the data extremely closely so that we are able to respond quickly and assess whether those current measures are sufficient, or whether further and tighter restrictions will need to be adopted locally” said Dr Virginia Pearson, the Director of Public Health Devon.
 University students helping curb COVID-19 infections
"We are in frequent communication with the university and we know that students are taking the new additional measures very seriously and acting upon the guidance. I want to thank them whole heartedly for that" he said.
"We also know from the positive cases we're seeing across the region that the infection is spreading in social settings, mostly within and between households. That is why the university's additional instruction this week is so important, and it's great that students are hearing and abiding by that message."
Mr Brown also emphasised the importance for everyone in the city's community to follow the rules - hands, face, and space - and to self-isolate and book a test for people with symptoms. Those identified as 'contacts' to a positive case do not need to book a test unless they have symptoms - high temperature, new and continuous cough, change to their sense of smell or taste.
 Quit smoking and breathe easier this Stoptober
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has really highlighted the importance of taking care of ourselves.
Smokers in Devon are being encouraged to quit and breathe easier this winter as part of the national ‘Stoptober’ campaign.
New figures show the number of people who have successfully given up smoking this year is at its highest in more than a decade, and Devon’s Public Health team is keen to help even more people take the first step towards quitting for good.
Running throughout October, the annual Stoptober challenge encourages people to give up smoking for 28 days, making them five times more likely to quit for good.
Free support and tailored advice is still available to smokers in Devon (excluding Plymouth and Torbay) via OneSmallStep, our commissioned healthy lifestyle service. Visit their website, call 01392 908139 or texting QUIT to 60777.
The national Stoptober campaign also includes a range of free digital services including the Stoptober app, Facebook messenger bot and online communities, SMS and daily emails. Search ‘Stoptober’ for a full range of quitting support options.
 Self-isolating is vital to stop the spread of COVID-19
According to news reports, a study led by King’s College London shows that fewer than one-fifth of people in the UK who develop coronavirus symptoms are following the rules and self-isolating at home.
Just 18 per cent of people involved with the study, who developed symptoms between March and August, said they had actually self-isolated, and only 11 per cent of those in contact with someone testing positive for coronavirus said they had stayed at home for the required two weeks.
But the recent rise in COVID-19 cases here in Devon and across the country, in all age groups and communities, are a stark warning to us all that we need to keep working together to slow the spread of the virus.
Public Health England has written about how vitally important self-isolating is to stop coronavirus from spreading in our community, particularly to people who could become very sick if they catch the virus.
You must self-isolate:
- if you have symptoms and are waiting for a test
- if your test is positive
- if you’re notified by NHS Test and Trace or the new NHS COVID-19 app that you’ve been in close contact with a confirmed case.
The simple message is…self-isolating for the full duration may well be a frustrating thing to do, but it’s a very necessary part of stopping this pandemic. So, if we’re called upon to do it, or we develop symptoms, then let’s just do it and do it properly.
 Do you want a lift? Advice for safer car sharing
With people asked not to use public transport if possible, some are opting to share lifts to work with friends and colleagues.
You should try not to share a vehicle with those outside your household or support bubble, but if this is unavoidable please take sensible precautions such as only sharing with the same people each time, wearing a face covering and opening windows to allow air to circulate. Read the government's car sharing advice in full on our website.
Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus – a new and continuous cough, high temperature and loss of taste and/or smell – or those who have been advised to self-isolate, should stay at home and not travel.
A car sharing advice poster for workplaces is available to download and print.
Domestic abuse victims exempt from the rule of six
Some support groups are exempt from rules that limit the numbers of those attending.
Victims of domestic abuse, for example, can still access vital support services and groups, despite current restrictions.
Up to 15 people can attend support groups, including victims of crime and domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial. If you suspect that you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, help and support is available.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
 A reminder to download the NHS COVID-19 app
Over 10 million people in England and Wales have downloaded the NHS COVID-19 app. If you're not one of them, you're encouraged to download it now to help control the spread of coronavirus and protect your friends, family and community as case numbers rise.
The government has sent everyone over the age of 16 who is registered with a GP in England, and has provided an email address or phone number to the NHS, an email or text asking them to download the NHS COVID-19 app. Read more on the government's website about what the messages will look like.
The app is an important new tool, forming a central part of the NHS Test and Trace service by quickly identifying contacts of those who have tested positive for coronavirus. It is the fastest way to see if you are at risk from coronavirus.
The app also lets you check in to places, book a test and check to see if you have coronavirus symptoms.
The UK’s major mobile network operators, including Vodafone, Three, EE and O2, Sky and Virgin, have confirmed that all in-app activity will not come out of customers’ data allowance.
You can find out more about the app and how to download it on the NHS website.
 Libraries play an essential part in local recovery
The role that libraries play in supporting local communities is numerous and varied. In the challenging times of the last few months, when library buildings have been closed to the public, Libraries Unlimited (who we commission to provide our library service), has found new ways of connecting with people, and the services they provide digitally have grown considerably.
As library buildings have reopened and mobile libraries returned to rural Devon, Libraries Unlimited has been developing a strategy about how they can utilise their unique services and facilities to support communities to recover and ensure that no community is ‘left-behind’ as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Libraries Unlimited Recovery document sets out five strategic objectives to support recovery and renewal of communities and the economy. You can read it in full on their website.
 Spread the cost of your tax bill
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding Self Assessment customers that they can apply online for additional support to help spread the cost of their tax bill into monthly payments from 1 October without the need to call HMRC.
HMRC has increased the threshold to £30,000 for Self Assessment customers, to help ease any potential financial burden they may be experiencing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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