Friday 6 August 2021
 Case rates over the last few weeks in Devon are the highest they have been since the start of the pandemic, with case rates in Exeter in particular among the highest in the country.
The latest weekly rates show Devon's case rates to be 310 per 100,000 of the population, compared to the national average of 282 per 100,000. Exeter, Teignbridge and East Devon district areas have case rates above the national average.
Most Devon cases are among people in their late teens and of young working age population.
In this update:
 Deputy Director of Public Health appeals to younger adults to get double vaccinated
Devon's claim to date that case rates in the county are below the England national average is no longer possible.
The latest data shows that Devon's weekly case rate average is now above the national average for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.
And Exeter's case rate in particular is among the country's highest.
Cases are predominantly in children and younger adults, with the highest case rates in those aged 16 to 24 year olds.
"A lot of it is to be expected, with the gradual lifting of restrictions that we’ve seen over several months, and people having more opportunities to mix socially,” says Devon’s Deputy Director of Public Health, Tina Henry.
“A similar pattern is currently seen in many other cities like Exeter with a younger population profile.
“But we’re not seeing that follow through to hospitalisations, although hospitals are very busy right now. That’s largely thanks to the vaccine, which is why it’s so important to take both vaccinations when they’re offered to you.
"We’re now appealing especially to younger adults to make sure that they get double vaccinated.”
We can also all do our bit to protect ourselves, families and neighbours, by:
- limiting our social contacts to stop the virus spreading
- meeting others outside, because that’s safer than meeting inside
- continuing to wear face coverings when indoors in public places
- washing your hands properly and regularly
- having the jab if you are an adult and haven’t yet had it. Please have both doses as soon as you can
- self-isolating if told to do so by NHS Test and Trace
- self-isolating and arranging a PCR test if you show any symptoms of having the virus – the high temperature, new and continuous cough, or change of your usual sense of taste or smell
 Economy on board by creditscoregeek.com
Positive signs of recovery for Devon economy
While the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been more widespread across Devon than previous recessions, there are positive signs of recovery.
That recovery is likely to be slower in all of Devon's district areas outside of Exeter, particularly in Mid and West Devon.
But today's economic report shows many positive signs of recovery, including:
- a strong bounce-back in recruitment
- millions of pounds of investment and job creation
- falling unemployment
- above UK's average footfall for South West retail
- and our multi-million pound recovery programme supporting small and medium sized enterprises, employment and skills, the green recovery and the hardest hit towns and communities
Click to watch the video on YouTube
Carers UK urges unpaid carers to make sure they're vaccinated
"Hundreds and thousands of unpaid carers have now received their COVID-19 vaccine, a hugely important step in protecting themselves and the people they care for from coronavirus,” she says.
"Those who are vaccinated are less likely to get seriously ill or die from COVID-19. They're also less likely to pass the virus on to others.
"So it's especially important to take up the vaccine if you're an unpaid carer to protect yourself and the people you care for.
"So please join the millions of people who've had their double jab and stand together against COVID."
If you are an unpaid carer, aged over 18 and you haven't received your vaccine yet, you can book an appointment at a time and a place convenient to you through the national booking service online or by ringing 119.
You could also be vaccinated at one of hundreds of walk-in centres across the country without the need to book in advance.
 Be wary of ‘inaccurate’ thermometers
Contactless infrared thermometers are widely used to check people for a raised temperature, so demand for these products has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our trading standards team is urging people to take care when purchasing one online following an increase in the number of infrared thermometers that give inaccurate readings making their way into the UK market.
Ben Newell, Team Manager at the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, said:
“We advise that consumers buying these products or any medical device in shops or online check that they carry the CE or UKCA mark.
“These will either be on the device or on its packaging, or if you are buying online, should be included in the item description from the seller.”
The government's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advises that anyone considering purchasing an infrared thermometer should follow the guidance on their website.
Click to watch the videos on YouTube
Knowing the risks helps us make better decisions
From socialising indoors or out, the messages are simple:
-
if you need to meet indoors, let fresh air inside
-
when you're out and about, keep your distance
-
reducing contact is still a key way to prevent catching or passing on the virus
-
given the choice, try to meet outdoors as much as possible
Knowing the risks, helps us make better decisions. We can all make small changes that make a big difference.
Children less likely to experience long-term COVID-19 symptoms
Children are less likely to experience long-term symptoms of coronavirus, according to a recent study.
It looked at 1,734 children aged between five and 17 who had tested positive for coronavirus between September 2020 and February 2021.
Fewer than one in 20 experienced symptoms for four weeks or more, and just one in 50 had symptoms lasting more than eight weeks.
Children aged between 12 to 17 took about a week to recover, while in younger children the illness lasted about five days.
The most common symptoms were headaches and tiredness, sore throat and loss of smell.
Improving your financial fitness
An estimated 20 million adults have seen their financial situation worsen significantly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates the banking sector.
MoneyHelper's Couch to Financial Fitness plan is a free, step-by-step programme designed to help you manage your money, inspired by the popular Couch to 5K app.
It guides people through three simple activities a week over four weeks, to help them understand money basics, followed by a five-week extension to strengthen financial habits.
It is now available to everyone via the recently-launched MoneyHelper website - part of the government-backed Money and Pensions Service.
Childhood respiratory infections rise ahead of winter
We’re not talking about coronavirus, but respiratory illnesses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can cause a cough or cold, that are very common in young children and are seen every year.
But last winter, when we'd usually see them, the restrictions in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus kept these other viruses at bay. There were far fewer infections in younger people, meaning many will not have developed immunity, so now there's a possibility that there will be more cases this year than in a typical season.
For most children, these illnesses are not serious and they'll soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids. For others though, under two years old and those born prematurely or with a heart condition, it can be more serious.
Make walking and cycling your first choice for shorter journeys
Many of the temporary 'pop-up' measures introduced last year to support walking and cycling during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown are now being made permanent.
We've invested over £25 million in walking and cycling projects across Devon in the last few years, and extending the county's extensive leisure trail network to help make Devon the place to be naturally active.
The Department for Transport has launched a 'Summer of Cycling and Walking' campaign, aiming to make cycling and walking the natural first choice for short journeys, and to inspire the nation to take up and enjoy the benefits of active travel as lockdown restrictions ease.
Devon has over 3,500 miles of footpaths and trails to explore. Visit our website
to find new routes that you can discover this summer.
|
