Friday 17 September 2021
Public: coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for Devon on our website
Please pass this onto district, borough, parish and town councillors as appropriate. The bulletin can be shared as a link by clicking the 'View it as a Web page' link at the top. Find previous bulletins on our web page.
Do it for Devon
Stick with us and keep following the guidance to keep everyone safe and well.
We need the support of local residents and visitors to keep Devon safe. While cases are high, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. This is why the government is keeping key protections in place
#RespectProtectEnjoy #DoItForDevon
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement this week regarding the government’s Winter Plan, Steve Brown, Devon Director of Public Health, said:
“Coronavirus is still with us, and while case rates in Devon have fallen in recent weeks, they are likely to rise again. We can expect a challenging next few months into autumn and winter.
“Clearly the health and care system nationally and locally is already under strain, and the additional winter pressures will only make the delivery of those services even more challenging.
“National and local public health teams are already working hand in hand with the NHS to do all that can be done to help keep people safe and well.
“The Prime Minister, while explaining the government’s Plan B should pressures on the health service escalate, refers in his plans to the role of local authorities in helping to curb any surge in case numbers.
“We have excellent data on coronavirus cases in the county. We are monitoring that closely, and right now working really closely with schools and colleges following their return to the classroom last week. And we are prepared, should the data require it, to support the implementation of any additional measures we are required to put in place locally or at a county level, in order to halt any spread of coronavirus.
“In what shape or where those additional measures will be, will depend on the data, and whether any surge in cases is relatively localised or wider spread. More testing, self-isolating, and the wearing of face coverings – these are all measures that will be on the table should we need them.”
Read the full story on our News Centre.
CCG Members' briefing - coronavirus vaccination in Devon
Please see below for the latest coronavirus vaccination briefing for Members from NHS Devon, Devon’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG):
You can view current and previous copies on the Provider Engagement Network (PEN) website.
Public health experts working closely with schools and colleges to reduce risk of transmission
Schools and colleges have reopened and have introduced coronavirus measures – some different, some familiar – to help reduce risk to pupils and staff.
With most of Devon’s schools back, pupils and their families will be familiarising themselves with new routines.
Secondary schools and colleges are asking pupils to take two in school assisted lateral flow tests, days apart, from the start of term, and students are expected to continue to routinely take the tests at home, twice a week, thereafter.
With the designation that Devon, alongside Plymouth, Torbay, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, is now an enhanced response area, there is a requirement for pupils and students to wear face coverings when on school grounds and in communal areas, such as corridors and other shared spaces.
It’s not mandatory to wear face coverings in the class room, but pupils and students are advised that they can still choose to do so if they wish.
Face coverings are recommended, and are expected to be worn on public transport, including dedicated school transport.
Find out more on our News Centre.
New appeal for pregnant women to have the COVID-19 vaccination
 Pregnant women are being reassured by the NHS in Devon that having the COVID-19 vaccination is the best and safest way to protect them and their baby from the serious complications that can be caused by the virus.
Read the full story on the NHS Devon CCG website.
 COVID-19 booster jabs to start next week
COVID-19 booster vaccinations will begin to be offered across the UK from next week.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunology (JCVI) recommended that around 30 million people should be offered the third dose.
The programme will be rolled out to the same priority groups as previously, with those eligible receiving their booster from six months after their second doses. They include:
- people living in residential care homes for older adults
- adults over the age of 50
- frontline health and social care workers
- people aged 16 to 49 years old with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19
- adult household contacts of people who are immunosuppressed
The move will ensure the protection vaccines provide for those most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 will be maintained over the winter months.
The latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University shows vaccines have saved more than 112,300 lives and prevented 143,600 hospitalisations and 24 million cases in England.
Data published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) this week shows people who have not been vaccinated account for around 99 per cent of all deaths involving COVID-19 in England in the first half of this year.
Booster vaccinations will begin next week and the NHS will contact people directly to let them know when it is their turn.
 Fostered children lend their voice to new recruitment campaign
For the first time real voices of fostered teens have been used to help promote their fostering service.
The campaign aims to prompt people who have thought about becoming foster parents to come forward to help fill a shortfall, and encourage others to consider it.
The digital campaign features three incredible young people – Bobby, Rosie and Phill.
Read the full story on our News Centre.
Visit Fostering Devon to watch the animations and find out more.
 12 to 15 year olds to be offered the vaccination
The NHS is preparing to deliver a schools-based vaccination programme, supported by GPs and community pharmacies following the announcement this week that young people, aged 12 to 15, are to be offered the COVID-19 vaccine.
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, has a teenage child. He said:
"If your 12 to 15 year old child has underlying health concerns, the advice is clear – take the vaccine when it’s offered to you.
"For parents of children without underlying health concerns, it’s potentially a more difficult decision.
"While I can’t make parents’ minds up for them, I can tell you what I will do, and that is to give consent for my teenage child to receive the vaccination.
"I’d encourage parents to talk with their child about the decision and why the Chief Medical Officers are recommending that the vaccine is offered to them."
Read the full story on our News Centre.
 Government shielding programme ends
More than 52,000 people in Devon previously identified as clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 will be informed by the government that the national shielding programme has ended.
It means that their details will no longer be held on the Shielded Patient List and they will not be advised to shield in the future. The government will also not be providing specific national guidance for them to follow, and instead advise that, as a minimum, they should continue to follow the same guidance as everyone else.
However, if you have a health condition you may want to consider, alongside any advice from your clinician, if additional precautions are right for you. This could include:
- get all recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine if you have not done so already
- meeting people you don't live with outside where possible
- making sure the space is well ventilated if you meet inside; open windows and doors or take other action to let in plenty of fresh air
- washing your hands regularly and avoiding touching your face
- considering whether you and those you are meeting have been vaccinated – you might want to wait until 14 days after everyone’s second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before being in close contact with others
- considering continuing to practice social distancing if that feels right for you and your friends
- asking friends and family to take a rapid lateral flow device (LFD) test before visiting you
- asking visitors to your home to wear face coverings
NHS Volunteer Responders are still available to help with things like collecting shopping, medication, or other essential supplies, and with transport to medical appointments. They can also provide a regular, friendly phone call. There are also lots of local community groups listed on our PinPoint website.
If you are struggling financially or with returning to work, there are a range of government services that may be useful, depending on your eligibility. Access to Work offers mental health support for people returning to work after a period of furlough or shielding, and travel to work support for those who may no longer be able to safely travel by public transport. If you are struggling financially, you may also be eligible to apply for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance. For more information on benefits, please visit the government's website.
 Welcoming the announcement of reforms to support health and social care
Devon County Council’s deputy leader and Cabinet member for adult health and social care, James McInnes, said:
“The whole health and care system is under tremendous pressure. So I welcome the government’s announcement of reforms which Devon County Council has been calling for for years.
“We have an ageing population in this country and particularly here in Devon and we all have a clear duty to look after our elderly and vulnerable.
“Obviously you can’t spend more without raising more and that’s never popular. But something has to be done and there will now be an informed, national debate about the government’s proposals to raise the cash through National Insurance and the tax on share dividends.
“And for some years, councils have been earmarking part of their council tax for adult health and social care – as the government is suggesting with the National Insurance levy – so that the people who pay the bills know where their money is going.
“But it isn’t just about money. I want to see the whole system streamlined so that we in social care can be more responsive to people’s needs by working even more closely with our hospitals and colleagues in primary health care.
“Inevitably this will take time to come to fruition but we have a staffing crisis at this moment.
“Providing care for elderly and vulnerable people can only be done if we have enough carers. And we simply don’t.
“We’ve been supporting recruitment campaigns and enhancing the rewards we pay but across Devon we still need 1,000 people more to join the adult care workforce. What we’re seeing right now is the results of that shortage which have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.”
Read the full story on our News Centre.
 Meet the projects ready to #BackTheFuture and tackle the climate emergency in Devon
We’re excited to announce that the six projects taking part in the #BackTheFuture Devon Climate Challenge are now crowdfunding their planet-positive ideas.
They’ll be aiming to raise as much as they can for their project and reach certain milestone totals to unlock match funding from us.
Find out more about the projects on the Crowdfunder website.
 Image from Vecteezy.com
An update on the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service from Councillor Rufus Gilbert
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills updates us on Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service and recent highlights about what the service has achieved.
Full details can be found on Inside Devon.
 Crowds and sunshine come out for Devon Stage of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain
We've taken a look back at the event which took place on Monday 6 September.
Read the full report about the Devon stage of the Tour of Britain on our News Centre.
Take the 2021 Tour of Britain Spectator Survey.
You can watch the ITV4 highlights and live programmes on the ITV Hub on demand service.
Watch Stage 2 Live
Watch the Stage 2 Highlights
For a quick view of the highlights from the Devon stage watch this five minute video clip on YouTube.
Take a look at the Tour of Devon photo gallery to see more highlights.
Once again thank you to everyone who supported this year’s event and made it a huge success!
Members' Area
Don't forget your new Members' Area SharePoint site is your one-stop-shop to access resources to aid you in your role as a Devon County Councillor. Key documents from the Council's various service areas, including induction resources, are posted in the Document library, and the Who's who? highlights the best person for you to contact for an efficient resolution.
By pulling together across the Council, with our partners and our communities, we are doing everything we can to help us all through this incredibly difficult time. Thank you to you and your community and stay safe and well.
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