Friday 10 December 2021
 COVID-19 case rates in Devon remain higher than the national average.
The highest rates are among primary and secondary school aged children, followed by those aged 40 to 59 and 20 to 39 years old. We're also starting to see small increases in cases among the over 80s.
In this update:
- England moves to Plan B
- Devon's Director of Public Health welcomes the additional measures
- First cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant identified in Devon
- Plans for a safer get together
- Join the NHS COVID-19 vaccine team
England moves to Plan B
The most recent data shows that the COVID-19 Omicron variant is spreading rapidly, with analysis suggesting cases are doubling every two and a half to three days.
These temporary measures include:
- 🏠 from Monday 13 December, those who can, are advised to work from home
- 📱 from Wednesday 15 December, and subject to parliamentary approval, the NHS COVID Pass will be required to enter certain venues and events where large crowds gather, such as nightclubs and stadiums. This is to check that all visitors aged 18 years old or over are fully vaccinated or have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours, or have an exemption
The government will continue to look closely at all the emerging data but vaccines remain the best line of defence against the virus, so if you have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Parliament will debate the measures next week, with a vote expected to take place on Tuesday 14 December.
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Devon's Director of Public Health welcomes the additional measures
The 'Plan B' measures announced this week for England bring us more in line with our UK neighbours, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement on Wednesday. He said:
"Case rates in Devon remain above the national average, and if we want to see that reversed - especially now that we're into the colder winter months - we need to see some changes.
"The requirements to more routinely wear face coverings, and the guidance now for people to work from home if possible, are good additional measures. And with large events and gatherings, it's sensible to try to ensure that those attending are vaccinated or recently tested."
First cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant identified in Devon
Devon has received notification of the first confirmed cases of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant within the county.
“We have been informed by the UK Health Security Agency that there are a small number of confirmed cases of Omicron in Devon," said Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon.
“None of the cases are linked to foreign travel.
“The confirmed cases are isolating at home. All close contacts have been identified and, because their links are to people who have tested positive for Omicron, they have been advised to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status, and take a PCR test.
“It was only going to be a matter of time before we saw the first Omicron cases in Devon, so this does not come as a surprise. It will take a while before we have real world data to understand the full characteristics of the Omicron variant, but early indicators do seem to suggest that it is more transmissible than the Delta variant.
“We do expect to see the numbers of confirmed Omicron cases rise in Devon over coming weeks, and it is likely to overtake the Delta virus to become the dominant strain across the country.
“We are monitoring the data very closely and will continue to take appropriate measures to curb transmission where we see outbreak situations.”
If you want to know more about the Omicron variant, the UK Health Security Agency has published an interesting blog.
Plans for a safer get together
With Christmas around the corner, traditionally it's been a time to get together to celebrate the season.
But with COVID-19 cases higher in Devon than the national average, there are no guarantees for a risk-free event.
Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, was reported last week advising people to be careful about socialising. COVID-19 loves a crowd, so while there are things you can do to reduce the risk of catching or spreading coronavirus, that risk is never completely eliminated.
Tips for a safer get together:
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choosing an outdoor venue is preferable to an indoor event
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before getting together, take a COVID-19 lateral flow device (LFD) test, and only go if you're negative and have no symptoms of infection
- wear face coverings in crowded enclosed spaces, unless exempt
- if your event is indoors, the venue should have plans in place to reduce risk, such as good hand washing facilities and making sure the room is well ventilated
It's to help stimulate economic development by improving productivity and competitiveness, helping businesses to grow, create jobs and reach new markets.
The vaccination programme, one year on
More than 2.2 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been given across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, since the NHS vaccination programme launched one year ago.
968,574 first doses were given in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay between 8 December 2020 and 28 November 2021.
896,315 second doses and 368,781 third and booster doses, taking the total to 2,234,676 doses!
NHS Devon’s Chief Nurse, Darryn Allcorn said:
"Thank you to everyone who has taken up the offer to have the COVID-19 vaccine. You are helping to reduce the spread of coronavirus and ease the pressure on the NHS.
"If you haven’t yet taken up the offer, you are still welcome at our vaccine clinics."
Join the NHS COVID-19 vaccine team
Following recent advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the NHS is now accelerating its vaccination programme further. The aim is to offer booster and third doses to all eligible adults by the end of January, as well as providing second doses to eligible young people.
To achieve this, the NHS has reopened recruitment for around 10,000 paid and 40,000 volunteer roles across the country, to join existing vaccine teams in protecting those who need it.
The roles available are flexible and range from vaccinators and registered healthcare professionals, to healthcare support workers, administrators and steward volunteers.
All roles provide full training with appropriate supervision. You don't have to currently work in the NHS to register an interest.
Devon's Director of Public Health urges us all to bother
As we approach the end of a second year of coronavirus, and in the week that tighter measures are being introduced to tackle a more infectious variant, Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, reflects on where we are:
"It's easy to become despondent, and to think why bother? The vast majority of us have bothered, and have followed the guidance, heeded expert advice, and rolled up our sleeves to receive the vaccinations.
"So, with case rates rising, and a new more infectious strain of the virus now gathering momentum, it's easy to question why bother.
"We bother because doing so saves lives. We all play a part in this pandemic, and our individual actions add up, and have a wider impact. If we stopped bothering, we would see case rates rising even more so, and consequently more hospitalisations and, tragically, deaths.
"So now, as we're approaching our second Christmas and New Year with coronavirus, and with new measures announced this week in response to this latest strain, I urge us all to bother.
"Please continue to follow the advice, as frustrating as it feels. And please continue to look out for our friends and families, and do all we can to reduce risk to them, as well as ourselves."
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