It follows an almost doubling in the number of patients in Devon hospitals with coronavirus since the beginning of October. And the NHS expect those numbers to rise. 

This, on top of existing pressures on the local health and care system, is why the public are now being reminded that they can play a key role in keeping case numbers down. 

Here’s what you can do: 

• ensure that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having a booster dose if you are eligible 
• have the seasonal flu vaccination 
• continue to follow social distancing measures, wear a mask where appropriate and wash your hands frequently 
• avoid visiting people in hospital if you have sickness or diarrhoea 
• self-isolate and take a PCR test if you have symptoms of COVID-19 
• carry out regular lateral flow tests 

The NHS is writing to parents and guardians of 12 to 15 year olds, inviting them to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment on the National Booking System or by calling 119. 

You can choose where your child receives the vaccine – either at a vaccination centre, or at their school. 

Parents or guardians can attend the appointment to a vaccination centre with their child, and consent will be sought on the day. 

If your child prefers to have their vaccination at school, they should wait for the school vaccination team or school to contact them. 

The Devon vaccination centres are at: 

• Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3DQ 
• Greendale Vaccination Centre, Woodbury Salterton, Exeter, EX5 1EW 
• English Riviera Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, TQ2 5LZ 
• Barnstaple Leisure Centre, Seven Brethren Bank, Sticklepath, Barnstaple EX31 2AP 

More information on our website.

Case rates are rising. The vaccination programme is going well, with booster jabs among our older and eligible population, and vaccinations now available for 12 to 15 year olds. 

But as effective as the vaccine is, it can't be used in isolation as a measure to combat coronavirus. 

The Swiss Cheese analogy describes prevention as a range of different Swiss cheese slices. On their own, they're less effective, but combined, they offer much more protection against viruses. 

It argues that alongside the vaccine, we need face coverings, regular hand washing, testing, socialising outdoors, distancing – all of these measures add up to a more effective level of protection and prevention than just one on its own. 

We like the analogy, and thought it was worth sharing. 

A scam text message has been doing the rounds this week, saying: 

'NHS: You have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19. You must self-isolate for 7 days and order a PCR Testing Kit.' 

It then directs you to a link designed to look genuine at first glance, but take a closer look and you'll see that it doesn't link to the real NHS website. And if you click on the link, it could then ask you to pay for a testing kit. 

This is a scam. If you receive a text like this, please delete it. Do not click on the link or respond to the message. 

You can find out how you would be genuinely be contacted by NHS Test and Trace online.

We've opened a new enterprise centre in Barnstaple, that aims to create jobs and boost the local economy. 

It's called Node. It's the flagship development at our Roundswell Enterprise Park, and it’s really important for the county’s economic recovery and growth as we emerge from the pandemic.

It will support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), start-up companies, freelancers and local workers in the Barnstaple and surrounding areas of North Devon and Torridge. 

It's got 37 small and medium offices, co-working space for up to 50 people, meeting rooms and an on-site coffee shop. 

It's also been designed and built to be energy efficient, achieving a 25 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to Building Regulations standards. 

With 64 per cent of its office space let within just eight months, it’s already ahead of its two-year target. 

But it’s not just office space. Node provides a range of expert-led support, from access to investors and one-to-one mentorship, through to after-hours start up clubs. 

And with a planned second phase expansion that we’re investing in – aiming to open by 2023 – the centre will support even more SMEs and start-ups in North Devon and Torridge as we look to build back an even stronger and more resilient local economy.  

To learn more about Node or to see how you could get support to run your business, you can visit www.thetownsquare.co.uk, or email barnstaple@townsq.co.uk.

Travel rules changed this week.

Eligible fully vaccinated passengers arriving in England from countries not on the UK's red list can now take a cheaper lateral flow test, instead of a PCR test. 

Lateral flow tests must be taken as soon as possible on the day of arrival in England, or at the latest before the end of a passenger's second day. 

But the tests must be purchased from a list of private providers on the GOV.UK website. 

That's because NHS lateral flow tests cannot be used for international travel. 

Any passengers who have already bought a PCR test to use for travel can still use it. 

For more information, visit the government's website.