Friday 2 July 2021
COVID-19 cases in Devon have increased by 75 per cent in the last week. The latest weekly rate is 102.7 cases per 100,000 of the population, which is below the national average (172.8).
At the moment Exeter has the highest rate of COVID-19 cases (242.0), which is above the national average. Case rates are highest and rising fastest in the younger population, particularly in the those aged 10 to 29 years old (317.0). Case rates are much lower and are relatively stable in older age groups.
In this update:
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A third COVID-19 ‘booster’ jab to be offered to most vulnerable and those over 50 years old
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Hospitality employees urged to get COVID-19 vaccination
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Football’s coming home… but hopefully COVID-19 won’t!
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Free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations available at Devon County Show
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A message of thanks on behalf of Team Devon for Thank You Day on Sunday 4 July
Do you have a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at Greendale this weekend?
Traffic around Westpoint, on the A3052 near Exeter, may be busier than normal this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, because of the Devon County Show. Staff at the Greendale Vaccination Centre are aware of that possibility and anyone turning up a little late for their appointment will be seen. However, we recommend that you plan your journey and allow extra time.
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A third COVID-19 ‘booster’ jab to be offered to most vulnerable and those over 50 years old
It would be offered to people who are vulnerable and those over 50 years old, at the same time as the annual flu jab, and delivered in two stages:
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people aged 16 years old and over who are immunosuppressed
- elderly people living in residential care homes
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everyone 70 years old and over
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16 year olds and over who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable
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frontline health and social care workers
The second stage would be to give the booster jab to:
- everyone over 50 years old
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everyone aged 16 to 49 years old who are in a flu or COVID-19 'at-risk' group
- all adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals
The latest analysis from Public Health England (PHE) and the University of Cambridge suggests that the COVID-19 vaccines have so far prevented an estimated 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths in England alone.
If you are over 18 years old and haven't had your COVID-19 vaccination yet, you can book an appointment via the NHS website or by calling 119.
 Off school and self-isolating
This week the spotlight has been on schools, with England’s Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, reported to have said that there’s an urgent need for children to get back to normal, and that grouping pupils into bubbles – often made up of their year group or class, which has to self isolate at home when one child tests positive – should end as quickly as possible. The government is looking in to it.
The number of cases of coronavirus in Devon is rising significantly. There was a 75 per cent increase in the last week, and by far the majority of cases are among younger people – school age and into their 20s. And schools are seeing this through the number of pupils unable to attend due to them self-isolating at home.
Figures for Wednesday 30 June show that there were 2,932 children absent from schools in Devon, out of a total number of children registered of 107,000. That’s 2.7% of Devon’s school children off school due to coronavirus. The actual number of those children with the virus was by far the minority and most absences were because the young people were identified as close contacts of other people who have tested positive for coronavirus.
It means schools are having to provide a mix of face-to-face teaching in the classroom – always the preferred and most beneficial way of learning for lots of reasons – with temporary remote learning for the minority who are unable to attend school.
It demonstrates the dilemma. Coronavirus is not over – by some way, and case numbers are rising again for a third wave over the summer. At the same time, the national restrictions are due to be lifted mid-July.
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon said:
“Schools are continuing to do all they can to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading during the school day. Outside of school, it’s up to individuals and their families to maintain that vigilance.
“Testing is one way that we can identify people who are likely to be carrying the virus. Please make sure you use the appropriate COVID-19 test though – a PCR test if you have symptoms or have been identified as a contact and told to self-isolate; or rapid lateral flow device (LFD) test for regular use if you have no symptoms.
“Research has previously shown that one in every three people with coronavirus show no symptoms of having it. But with most people now vaccinated, it’s possible that we may see a higher proportion of people with the virus without symptoms. Testing is vital, for all of us, whether we have had the vaccine or not.
“Please, let’s continue to do all we can to stop cases rising."
 Hospitality employees urged to get COVID-19 jab
People working within the hospitality industry are being urged to take up the offer of having the COVID-19 vaccination following outbreaks in other parts of the country among young people working in hospitality settings.
Now that all adults are eligible for the vaccination and with cases of the more transmissible Delta variant rising locally, Visit Devon and the NHS are advising businesses to support their staff to take up the vaccination to ensure a safe working environment, give visitors confidence during their stay in Devon, and of course lessen the spread of coronavirus.
The campaign is backed by Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines MBE, who has two hospitality businesses in Devon (Lympstone Manor and Mickey's Beach Bar and Restaurant) and employs a number of young adults who have recently become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination.
He said:
"As one of the sectors that has been most effected by coronavirus, it is imperative that our employees get vaccinated to protect their colleagues and our guests to stop the spread of coronavirus."
Visit Devon represents tourism and hospitality businesses across the county, promoting the area to domestic and international tourists. Visit Devon's Director, Sally Everton, said:
"The last 15 months have been incredibly tough for the hospitality industry and staffing remains a constant pressure. Our businesses can't afford to have further closures due to COVID-19 outbreaks among staff.
"We urge everyone working within our local hospitality businesses to have the vaccine to protect themselves, their colleagues, their customers and the businesses themselves. We're also asking employers to support their staff to have the vaccine, either by having time off for the jab itself or if they feel unwell due to side effects."
 Football’s coming home… but hopefully COVID-19 won’t!
There’s a big weekend of football ahead, and fans are being urged to be careful about how and where they watch the European Championship games as COVID-19 rates continue to rise in Devon.
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said:
“Amid the excitement of England reaching the quarter finals, please remember that we’re still very much in the midst of a pandemic, with case numbers across the country rising because of the more transmissible Delta variant.
“I am very aware of just how important football is to many people, not least when the coronavirus restrictions have curtailed so much of our lives over the past 15 months.
"There may be a temptation to get together for these big matches, either indoors or outside, mixing between households and in larger gatherings. Please be cautious and remember life isn’t back to normal just yet. Keep following the restrictions about meeting people outside your household and remember the public health advice about washing your hands, covering your face in public spaces and giving each other space.
"This is how we protect ourselves and each other, so don’t let your guard down now. Hopefully football will come home, but coronavirus won’t!”
The coronavirus restrictions on meeting inside and outside:
- You can watch football inside pubs across the UK, but remember that in England, only up to six people from six households or two households of any size can meet indoors
- In England, up to 30 people can meet outside, including in a pub garden, but check if the place you're visiting has any restrictions due to the size of their outside space
- Follow the rules if you're inviting people back to your place to watch the game too. Up to six people from multiple houses or any number from just two households can gather indoors, and up to 30 people outdoors
- Use personal judgement when it comes to hugging close friends. Public Health advice is to err on the side of caution and be careful, even if England do score!
Visit our news website for more advice about enjoying Euro 2020 safely.
Free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations available at Devon County Show
It's also the Devon County Show this weekend, Friday 2, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 July.
In addition to the vast array of exhibitors - Devon County Council among them of course - we have one of our COVID-19 mobile community testing vans on site, available to give people quick, lateral flow device (LFD) tests to see if they’re likely to be carrying coronavirus unknowingly. They’ll also have LFD test kits for people to take away to do routinely at home.
The van, which is located right next to our stand, number 248 on road 8, will be there each day from 9.00am to 5.00pm. There's no need to book, just come along. Staff will help you with the test, which is quick and easy. And you'll know your result in about half an hour, via a message to your mobile phone.
Also at the show, the Royal Devon and Exeter (RD&E) NHS Foundation Trust is running a pop-up vaccination clinic. It'll be on site at the Wadsworth Pavilion, on the corner of Road 9 and Avenue K, each day until 4.00pm. The team will be offering first doses of the Pfizer vaccine for anyone aged 18 years old or over; and second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine for anyone who had their first doe more than eight weeks ago. It would be helpful to bring your first appointment card or proof of age.
If you have tickets to the show but have symptoms of coronavirus – high temperature, new and continuous cough, change to your usual sense of taste or smell – please stay at home, self isolate and arrange a PCR test via the government website as soon as possible.
Free webinar answers questions about vaccines and pregnancy
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations (JCVI) has advised that pregnant women should be offered COVID-19 vaccines in line with the rest of the population. So far tens of thousands of women have been vaccinated, mainly with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the government says no safety concerns have been identified.
The JCVI has recommended that breastfeeding mothers can also have the vaccines.
But despite reassurances, doubts remain among some women who are pregnant or planning to be so.
The NHS in Devon is hosting a free live webinar on Monday 5 July at 6.00pm. It's for anyone to attend, and it's for people who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, and fertility, pregnancy or breastfeeding. You will hear from experts, and you'll be able to ask questions.
A recording of the webinar will be made available afterwards for people who are unable to make the live event.
Employers to pay more for their furloughed staff
From this week, employers will have to pay more of the costs for their staff who are furloughed as part of the government's Job Retention Scheme. Staff will continue to receive 80 per cent of their wage, but employers will have to pay more towards it.
There are around 3.4 million jobs on furlough in the UK, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS). They say those most likely to be furloughed are under 25 years old or over 65 years old. And that, women and workers in the cultural, accommodation, or food sectors are also among those most likely to be furloughed.
Since August 2020, the government has paid 80 per cent of the employees’ salaries (up to a maximum), with the employer paying just National Insurance and pension contributions. But from Thursday 1 July, the government will pay 70 per cent, and employers receiving the grant will have to pay at least 10 per cent of the employees' salary. That will increase, to employers paying 20 per cent towards their furloughed staff salaries in August and September. After which time, the scheme is due to end.
Areas where minimal travel to and from is advised
The Prime Minister has said that it's likely that people in England will be able to return to 'pretty much life before COVID', on Monday 19 July. But there is no indication yet about what will happen to the rules around face coverings and social distancing.
Meanwhile, there are parts of England that have particularly high numbers of the Delta variant, which is especially transmissible, and it’s driving up the case numbers.
For those areas, the advice right now is more restrictive than elsewhere in the country. People are being asked to meet friends and family outside; keep two metres apart from people they don't live or bubble with; and minimise travel to and from those areas.
Please be especially cautious if you are planning to travel to, or meet anyone from, the following areas:
 Thank You Day on Sunday 4 July
The last 15 months have been difficult for everyone, and we couldn't have got through it without each other. The coronavirus pandemic has reminded us that, when it really matters, we are here for one another. From family members to key workers, good neighbours to volunteers, delivery drivers to teachers, we've all got somebody to say thank you to.
Thank You Day is on Sunday 4 July. With the end of lockdown in sight, the country's biggest ever thank you party is a chance to get together in the sunshine (we hope) with our neighbours, communities and families, to mark what has happened, celebrate the spirit that got us through and say thank you.
It's being supported by hundreds of organisations across the country, including the Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, NHS, The Mirror, ITV, the Football Association and the Local Government Association. It's also got the backing of Dame Judi Dench, Tim Peake and Ellie Simmonds, religious leaders, local councils, schools, businesses and communities throughout the UK.
The aim is for as many people as possible to be involved, however they would like to, so everyone gets a thank you and we say it together. Some communities are taking part in a 'power hour' to tidy up shared spaces to say thank you to local environments for keeping us sane on our daily walks. Others are holding special Park Run events, play streets and street parties with picnics for friends and families and a collective 'cheers for volunteers' followed by a BB-Thank-Q.
You can find out more on the Thank You Day website.
A message of thanks on behalf of Team Devon from John Hart, Chairman of the Local Outbreak Management Board and Leader of Devon County Council
"We've all been through 15 of the most difficult months many of us will ever have experienced.
"But this weekend thousands of us will be attending the Devon County Show. Many others will gather in pubs and beer gardens to watch our footballers try to make a little bit of history. Gradually we are beginning to live life again.
"But as we meet old friends we haven't seen for such a long time or raise a glass to Gareth Southgate, the national Thank You Day gives us an opportunity to pause and pay tribute to all those people who have got us to this place.
"Our thoughts obviously go to the front-line doctors and nurses who have borne the brunt of the pandemic and its terrible effects and all those working in the NHS who supported them. We say a massive thank you to our care staff who looked after the old and the vulnerable. And to our teachers and school staff who cared for our children.
"Then there are the people who enabled us to cope with the lockdowns just by carrying on doing their jobs – the supermarket staff, the delivery drivers, the refuse collectors – and so many others.
"Many of our own staff at Devon County Council – and in lots of other public organisations in the county – continued to do their jobs remotely from home, combining that with looking after children or relatives.
"And then there were the thousands of volunteers in our cities, towns and villages who looked out for their neighbours and communities in so many different ways, delivering food, collecting prescriptions or just making sure they were OK. Often parish and town councils took the lead in helping to coordinate and support the volunteers in their communities and their support was invaluable.
"Hundreds of volunteers continue to support the NHS in our vaccination centres and – despite the effects of the Delta variant – have kept infection rates in Devon amongst the lowest in the country.
"They all deserve our heartfelt thanks. And I want to thank the vast majority of Devon citizens for abiding by the rules. I urge you to continue to wash your hands, wear a mask when required and socially distance.
"Please self-isolate if you show symptoms and arrange a PCR test. Also self-isolate if you’re identified as a contact and take a PCR test, and take regular rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests, twice a week, to identify if you are likely to be carrying the virus.
"Let keep going, together, for a just a little bit longer."
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