Friday 21 January 2022
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. Keep up to date with the latest government coronavirus guidance.
#RespectProtectEnjoy #DoItForDevon
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has outlined his intention for the country to return to ‘Plan A’, to keep coronavirus rates as low as possible, in a statement to the House of Commons.
“Case rates are still high and it is important that people understand that this announcement is not one of ‘freedom day’, but a reverting back to plan A.
“Omicron is by no means a mild virus, and the symptoms to those who are unvaccinated or who have underlying health concerns can be extremely serious if not life threatening.
“So while the Prime Minister is indicating light towards the end of the tunnel, my advice is that we are not yet out of the woods.
“We must stay vigilant and alert to risk that is still around us.
“Please be cautious, let’s use our common sense, and continue to follow good basic public health advice.”
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England to return to Plan A
The government has announced that England's COVID-19 measures will revert from Plan B to Plan A.
This means:
- the government is no longer asking people to work from home if they can. People should now talk to their employers to agree arrangements to return to the office
- from 20 January, face coverings will no longer be required for staff and pupils in secondary school and college classrooms
- from 27 January, face coverings will no longer be required for staff and pupils in communal areas of secondary schools, nor for staff in communal areas of primary schools
- from 27 January, there is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering in public indoor places. The government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet
- from 27 January, venues and events will no longer be required by law to check visitors’ NHS COVID Pass. The NHS COVID Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis
Visit the government website to find out more about the changes, and what you can do to stay safe and help prevent the spread.
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.
Fresh appeal to the ‘not yet boosted’
Overall take-up of COVID-19 booster vaccinations in Devon so far is good, but we can do better. More than 80 per cent of eligible people aged 50 years old and over have had the jab, but people younger than that have been a bit slower to get it done. And the younger we go, the take-up of the booster vaccination gets lower.
For some, there's likely to be a good reason for not having had their booster jab yet, such as a recent COVID-19 infection or, especially for younger people, 12 weeks haven't yet passed since their second vaccine dose.
But there's a middle group, between 25 to 50 years old, who by now should have had sufficient time to be ready for their booster, but haven’t yet come forward. That’s who we are appealing to now.
Experts say the booster jab makes a big difference to our immune system. It's not a 'nice to have', after the first and second doses. It’s as important, if not more so for the additional protection it gives us against getting seriously ill.
So please come forward, if you're eligible for the booster and haven't yet had it.
There are plenty of opportunities to get it now, with or without an appointment, at walk-in sites and vaccination centres across Devon.
And for those young enough, or old enough to remember the classic arcade games first time round, here's a little video to make you smile, and encourage you to get your booster as soon as possible.
Which test do I need?
We know it can be hard to keep track of which COVID-19 tests you should take: when you should take them; how often; which one - PCR or Lateral Flow Device; and what you’re meant to do afterward.
So, we’ve put together a tool to try to help you work out when and how to get tested.
You just answer a few simple questions about your current situation, and it takes you through the guidance. Rest assured, no personal information is required, so there's nothing to identify you.
More teens encouraged to get boosted
Young people aged 16 and 17 year old can now book a COVID-19 booster vaccination appointment online at a vaccination centre or pharmacy.
Top-up doses of the vaccine are available at least three months after you had your second dose.
Invites have been sent encouraging teens in this age group to book their appointment through the online booking service, calling 119, or by finding their nearest walk-in site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment, as soon as they can.
Clinically at-risk 12 to 15 year-olds or those who live with someone who is immunosuppressed can now also have their booster jab three months after their two primary doses, with those who are severely immunosuppressed able to get their booster after a third primary dose. Those eligible in this age group can go to a walk-in vaccination site or wait to be contacted by a local NHS service such as a GP surgery and book an appointment with them.
A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine tops up the protection you have from your primary doses of the vaccine, making it longer-term and helping prevent you getting seriously ill if you catch the virus.
Youth Parliament Members wanted - apply now!
Do you know a young person who wants to use their voice and passions to bring about positive change in their local community? Then why not suggest they join the UK Youth Parliament.
The UK Youth Parliament is run by young people, for young people, and enables Members to change the world for the better.
Anyone aged 11 to 18 years old can run for election. If you know someone who would be interested in becoming a Member of Youth Parliament, please ask them to complete the registration form.
Please note that applications close this Sunday 23 January so there's not much time!
We've won a 'Mind Of My Own' award!
We've been named as Mind Of My Own’s most improved organisation.
Our Children’s Services team has been using the Mind Of My Own app for a number of years to better understand children’s views, wishes and feelings. The app enables young people to communicate with social workers and other support workers at a time that suits them. And during the last quarter of 2021, usage of the app in Devon increased by over 400 per cent, compared with the previous quarter.
Chief Officer for Children’s Services, Melissa Caslake said:
“Listening to the voice of the child is a priority for everyone within Devon’s Children’s Services. This is a great start to 2022, providing children and young people with a direct way to express their voice in a way that they can engage with and relate to.”
Devon to receive £900,000 Adult Social Care COVID-19 funding this January
Devon will receive close to £900,000 from the national Adult Social Care Omicron Support Fund this January. This is a new grant that is separate and in addition to the existing Infection Control and Testing Fund, Workforce Recruitment and Retention Fund. We have discretion to use the funding as needed locally, to support the adult social care sector in the COVID-19 response during January 2022, and this could include passing the funding onto providers.
The purpose of this fund is to:
- support the adult social care sector with measures already covered by the infection prevention and control allocation of the Infection Control and Testing Fund, to help reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission within and between care settings
- increase ventilation in care homes
- enhance local authorities’ current direct payment offer particularly when the only way a person’s care needs can be met is by a friend or family member
- enhance support for carers
- pay for temporary staffing to cover increased staff absence caused by COVID-19 and maintain staffing levels and workforce capacity
Nina Parnell, Westbank Head of Volunteering and Community Support, and Westbank staff, Chairman, volunteers with David Fursdon, Lord-Lieutenant of Devon. Photo credit: Wendy Hancock
Local charity receives Queen’s Award for their support during lockdown
The charity, Westbank, who we work with to deliver a number of community services, has been presented with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
The Queen's representative in Devon, the Lord-Lieutenant for Devon, David Fursdon, presented it to them recently. It's for the amazing work Westbank Neighbourhood Friends did during the coronavirus lockdown period.
The Neighbourhood Friends help vulnerable or frail adults, from Exeter, East and Mid Devon, to stay out of hospital or to have shorter hospital stays. They match volunteers up with people who need help: moving furniture for example so that there's room for hospital beds or other equipment in their home; installing key safes so that care workers could gain access; and they provide company and a warm drink to people following a stay in hospital.
Over the lockdown period, they helped around 2,030 people.
Jenny Luscombe, the charity’s longest serving volunteer said:
“It was such a pleasure to meet the Lord Lieutenant of Devon and an honour to have received The Queen’s Award, which is the equivalent of receiving an MBE for people like myself who give their time to volunteer.”
Nina Parnell, Westbank Head of Volunteering and Community Support, says:
"We are incredibly proud that our Neighbourhood Friends project has been recognised with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and pay tribute to the dedication, hard work and commitment of our truly deserving team of volunteers."
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Take part in our latest childcare survey
If you are a parent who chooses to use childcare or not, your voice counts.
The answers you give in this short survey on the childcare services available in Devon will help our Early Years and Childcare team to plan and make sure that there is enough childcare to enable parents and carers to work or train.
The deadline for responses is Sunday 13 February 2022.
Marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2022
The 27 January, Holocaust Memorial Day, stands as an important reminder to us all of the horrors of genocide.
To mark the day, the Union Jack will be flown at half-mast at Bellair at County Hall.
Find out more about Holocaust Memorial Day on Inside Devon.
Members' Area
Don't forget your 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 to help answer any queries you may have.
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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