Friday 25 February 2022
 COVID-19 case rates in Devon are falling, but do still still remain high (564 cases per 100,000 of the population), and are higher than the national average (422 per 100,000). Case rates are currently highest in those aged 30 to 44 years old.
In this update:
- What's happened this week?
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What the changes mean for Devon residents
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Looking after your mental health as COVID-19 restrictions end
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Help on hand to start a new enterprise or grow an existing business
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Simple and effective ways to protect yourself and others

What’s happened this week
In the meantime, the key dates to remember are:
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the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive COVID-19 test result ended on Thursday 24 February
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the legal requirement to test for seven days after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 ended on Thursday 24 February
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routine contract tracing ended on Thursday 24 February
- the Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme ended on Thursday 24 February. If you were told to self-isolate before then you can still make a claim up to Wednesday 6 April.
- access to free COVID-19 testing for the general public will end from Friday 1 April
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the guidance for voluntary COVID-19 status certification for certain venues will end from Friday 1 April

What the changes mean for Devon residents
People in England who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer legally required to self-isolate.
"The changes are significant, but the COVID-19 pandemic is not over.
"The Office for National Statistics say around one in 20 people have coronavirus, and in Devon, we know that our case rates are still high. They're falling, but for us to ensure that carries on, we must continue to do all we can to protect ourselves and those around us.
"It's really important that people with COVID-19 symptoms - high temperature, cough or changes to their usual sense of smell or taste - or who test positive for coronavirus, continue to self-isolate if they can. It's exactly the same as for many other infectious diseases.
"Just because it’s no longer legally required, the advice is still to isolate for five days followed by two negative tests, and this will be reviewed in the coming weeks."
Free access to testing for the majority of people will end in April. Tina Henry says that there may be a need to reintroduce testing, after April, to prevent and support outbreaks in future.
"It's important that people keep up with their vaccinations when invited to do so," she said.
"We must remain cautious, and although the legal requirements are no longer there, we should continue to do everything we can to prevent the spread.
"That means taking up the vaccine, self-isolating if you can when you're ill and wearing a face covering when indoors in crowded spaces with people you don't normally mix with. Ventilation and hand washing are also as important as ever."

Simple and effective ways to protect yourself and others
It talks about the airborne nature of the virus, and the risks posed to us all in our daily lives.
And it's a reminder that it's possible to catch coronavirus from people we may not even have had close contact with.
They've listed five actions that will help protect you and others around you.
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get vaccinated
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avoid other people if you have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive
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let fresh air in
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wear a face covering
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remember hand washing and the basics of good hygiene
 Looking after your mental health as COVID-19 restrictions end
The ending of all COVID-19 restrictions this week is a big change and may bring up strong feelings for you: fear, worry, confusion, relief, or a mixture of different emotions. You might be glad to see some restrictions going but worry it’s too soon to end others, especially if you or your loved ones are more vulnerable to coronavirus. In fact, the end of all COVID-19 restrictions might be as hard for us as their introduction was almost two years ago.
Society has opened back up but you might not feel ready yet to get back to the things you once enjoyed, such as going to the cinema or pub, mixing in big groups or crowded spaces, or travelling by public transport. The end of restrictions might feel like extra pressure to join in, with the added worry that people no longer legally have to self-isolate if they have coronavirus.
These feelings are likely to pass with time as we get used to the "new normal" but it's important to do what we can to take care of our mental health. Just as it took us time to find ways to cope during lockdown, it will take time to find our way back and reconnect with life. Don’t be hard on yourself if it’s taking longer than you expected or if other people seem more confident or sociable than you.
There are lots of things that can help you to manage these feelings and make it easier to adjust. The Mental Health Foundation has lots of information about looking after your mental health as you adapt to the end of COVID-19 restrictions. NHS Every Mind Matters has tips for coping with anxiety about "getting back to normal".
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can find an urgent local NHS mental health helpline to call for 24-hour advice and support, or visit the NHS Every Mind Matters urgent support webpage.
 Help on hand to start a new enterprise or grow an existing business
As part of our £6 million programme to support Devon's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we're making help available for those looking to start a new business or social enterprise in Devon, or to grow their existing business.
The support is suitable for almost all businesses, but specifically aims to reach individuals in Devon within sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 such as tourism, hospitality, retail, food and drink, and especially in the priority areas of West Devon, Torridge, Teignbridge and Mid Devon.
'Devon Get Started' has been established to help anyone aged 25 years old and over in the county to get their ideas off the ground. It focuses on support prior to start-up, aiming to build confidence, managing start-up costs, and covering any skills gaps. Start-ups or social enterprises in their first six months who are facing continuity challenges, are also eligible for support.
For businesses that are already up and running, we are offering help through Thrive Devon which aims to support small and medium enterprise (SME) productivity and competitiveness, helping businesses to grow, create jobs and reach new markets. Thrive Devon will offer a free diagnostic and training service, with tailor-made support that will enable businesses to improve and grow, including specialist workshops on topics such as digital skills, finance, marketing, HR and business planning.
For more information please visit our website.

12 to 15 year olds invited to grab a jab at half-term
The most recent Office of National Statistics (ONS) data shows that rates of COVID-19 infections among those in school years 7 to 11 remains high, with around one in 11 (8.7 per cent) testing positive in the week to 5 February.
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