Case rates of coronavirus in Northern Devon are among the highest in the country, with levels in Torridge in particular now reaching 849 cases per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 384 cases per 100,000.

Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said: 

“There are a few reasons why North Devon and Torridge may be seeing such high rates. 

“We know that the dominant strain across the UK, and in Devon, is the highly transmissible Delta variant, and that too is driving case levels." 

However, the high case levels are not translating into a significant increase in coronavirus-related hospitalisations, or deaths. People developing the virus may tend to feel unwell, but are not requiring the medical attention that was once required, and they’re getting better. 

Read Steve Brown's full statement on the news page of our website.

Schools are doing their bit to halt the spread

Most areas of the South West have positive coronavirus case rates above the national average for England. In Devon, it’s the high case levels particularly among the secondary school and college-age population that are driving the infection. 

Schools, however, are doing their bit to halt the spread. 

Most of our secondary schools in Devon have reached the government’s threshold – they have five or more linked cases of coronavirus – which triggers plans for additional actions, in line with the government’s guidance.  

But because case rates in the region are high, Directors of Public Health across the South West agreed last month that all secondary schools are advised to consider adopting the additional measures, even those that have not yet reached that trigger point.  

Those additional measures are to reduce risk of transmission, and include steps that encourage face covering, hand hygiene, and social mixing.  

"We must all take responsibility," said Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon. "Follow the school's rules when there and remain extra cautious when out of school and mixing with friends." 

"With case levels this high, we need to be proactive in our actions to stay safe," said Steve Brown. "Living with coronavirus in our community means that we must remember it’s there, and that we take what steps we can to keep safe.”

Money available to help support people during self-isolation 

With the high rate of positive coronavirus cases across Devon right now, there are growing numbers of people required to self-isolate. 

For many, with minor symptoms and people to help them, ten days self-isolating is OK. It’s workable. But for others, self-isolating can be very difficult, especially if they live alone, they’re unwell, or have other responsibilities outside the house. 

Grants typically can be up to £5,000 for small projects, and up to £20,000 for larger projects. Applications for larger projects will be considered. 

Information and eligibility for the grants is available on our website.

Or to discuss an application, contact hannah.reynolds@devon.gov.uk 

Change to guidance on vaccination for under 18s 

The government has revised the guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations for under 18 year olds who are not in clinical risk groups. 

Previously, the advice had been that under 18s should not have their vaccination for four weeks following a positive PCR test. That's now changed, with under 18s now asked to not have their vaccine until 12 weeks following a positive PCR test. 

For those who have recently had their vaccine, after four weeks but within 12 weeks of a positive PCR test, that's OK – the vaccines are safe.  But for those under 18s who are yet to take up the vaccine, you will not be given the vaccine until 12 weeks following a PCR test. 

16 and 17 year olds to receive vaccine second dose 

16 and 17 year olds, who are not in an at-risk group are to be offered a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is advising.

The second vaccine dose should be given 12 weeks or more following the first vaccine dose. 

For those who have had COVID-19, the second dose should be given 12 weeks or more following their positive PCR test result. 

Visit the NHS website for more information about booking vaccination appointments.

Thank you, says NHS Devon’s Chief Nurse 

NHS Devon’s Chief Nurse, Darryn Allcorn has thanked everyone who has booked or had their booster.   

“You are helping to protect yourselves and your loved ones and to reduce pressure on our busy NHS services this winter,” he said. 

Walk-in clinics have been very busy and extra appointments are being offered where possible to meet demand. 

The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation has previously advised booster vaccinations for all adults aged 50 years and over and those in a COVID-19 at-risk group. The offer has now been extended to include those aged 40 to 49 years. 

The advice comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) publishes the first data on booster vaccine effectiveness in the UK. The analysis shows that people who take up the offer of a booster vaccine increase their protection against symptomatic COVID-19 infection to over 90%. Protection against more severe disease is expected to be even higher. 

People can book their COVID-19 booster appointment five months (152 days) after their second dose, meaning they could receive their top up vaccine on the day they become eligible at six months (182 days). 

Booster vaccines can still only be given after a six-month interval (at least six months after your second vaccine dose), but allowing appointments to be booked at five months means people can get their jabs booked in ahead. 

Those who are eligible can book their COVID-19 booster appointment by visiting the national booking system website or calling 119 and find a walk-in site online. 

Chief Medical Officer says hospital admissions are preventable 

England's Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Chris Whitty, has urged all women who are pregnant, or hoping to become pregnant, to get a coronavirus vaccine. 

Speaking at a Downing Street news conference this week, Mr Whitty referred to data regarding the number of pregnant women being admitted to hospital with coronavirus. 

"From February 1 to September 30, 1,714 pregnant women were admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 1,681, which is to say 98 per cent, had not been vaccinated,” he said. 

“And if you go to those who are very severely ill in intensive care, of 235 women admitted to ICU, 232 of them – over 98 per cent – had not been vaccinated.” 

The CMO is reported as describing the hospital admissions as 'preventable', and that that the view among experts is that the benefits of the vaccine 'outweigh the risks in every area'. 

Find out more about booking your vaccination on the NHS website.