Friday 25 March 2022
In this update:
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Community outreach vans will continue, but will no longer deliver lateral flow tests
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Director of Public Health marks second anniversary of national COVID-19 lockdown
Since January 2021, our community testing teams have been out and about across Devon delivering a mobile COVID-19 lateral flow testing service to thousands of people. But that's about to change.
From the end of this month, the government's 'Living with COVID-19' plan sees an end to universal access to free lateral flow and PCR tests for most people.
Our community outreach vans will continue to support the COVID-19 vaccinations programme alongside NHS Devon colleagues, but they won't provide free lateral flow tests from Friday 1 April.
PCR testing sites in Devon, run by the Department for Health, will close on Wednesday 30 March.
  Director of Public Health marks second anniversary of national COVID-19 lockdown
This week saw the second anniversary since the start of the first national COVID-19 lockdown and a national day of reflection - a time to look back and remember the lives lost, contemplate the lives changed and reflect on the extraordinary commitment of our communities over the past two years.
Steve Brown, Devon's Director of Public Health, marked the day with a special message of thanks to all residents. If you missed it, you can catch up on the news page of our website.
 What do we do for COVID-19 tests after Friday 1 April?
You can still order COVID-19 lateral flow tests from the government’s website, subject to availability, until 11.59pm on Thursday 31 March.
After that, lateral flow tests will be available to buy from local pharmacies and online. And PCR tests will continue to be free for care home residents, hospital patients and other vulnerable groups, if they have symptoms of coronavirus.
While there will no longer be access to free lateral flow tests from Friday 1 April, Public Health Devon hopes that people will continue to use up the tests they currently have, ‘to greatest effect’.
Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health Devon, explains.
“If you have a supply of tests at home, please consider taking a test before visiting older or vulnerable friends or relatives, or before visits to GP surgeries or to hospital.”
 Support for unpaid carers in Exeter to get their COVID-19 jabs
Unpaid carers in the Exeter area are being supported to get their first, second or booster COVID-19 vaccination at a special pop-up clinic on Queen Street outside Exeter Central Railway Station next week.
A team from Devon Carers will be at there on Wednesday 30 March from 10.00am until 4.30pm.
If you are unable to make your own way there, Devon Carers may be able help provide transport for you, however due to limited capacity they will not be able to take the person you care for. Spaces will be allocated depending on demand and you will be given a time range during which you will be picked up.
If you are travelling by car, bus or train, Devon Carers can reimburse your travel expenses up to a maximum amount of £10.
To request travel expenses or support with transport please email Devon Carers at online@devoncarers.org.uk by midday on Monday 28 March with your name, address, contact telephone number, date of birth and whether you will be travelling to the vaccination and claiming expenses or requiring transport by Devon Carers – and if so, details of your mobility needs.
One of Devon’s Carer Ambassadors, Duncan, speaks about the importance of getting your COVID-19 vaccination as a Carer in this short video.
If you have any questions please email online@devoncarers.org.uk or call the Devon Carers helpline on 03456 434 435.
 Be careful if buying COVID-19 tests online
If you're shopping online for COVID-19 tests look out for scams, and know who you're buying from.
Janet Quinn, from Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, said:
"Only order lateral flow tests from a pharmacy. Do not get them from any other sources.
"The NHS, government or Public Health Devon will never send text messages or emails with a link inviting you to purchase a lateral flow test. If you receive such a message or see such an offer, these are from fraudsters who are trying to access your money or personal information."
If you receive a suspicious text, forward it to 7726 or if you receive a suspicious email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk and then delete it. You can report fraud or cyber crime to Action Fraud using the online reporting tool, which will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened and advisors are available on web chat 24 hours a day to give you help and advice if you need it.
 Everything you need to know about the spring COVID-19 booster in Devon
This week spring COVID-19 booster jabs started to be offered to people in Devon at greatest risk of COVID-19 infection, many of whom had their first booster six months ago.
This additional dose will help protect them if COVID-19 rates are high over the summer months and reduce their chances of needing hospital treatment if they do catch the virus.
The groups eligible for the spring booster are:
- People aged 75 years and older
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- People aged 12 years old and over who have a weakened immune system – this includes people in different groups including those with underlying health conditions such as chronic leukaemia or lymphoma, and those who have had immunosuppressive treatment following an organ transplant or have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
The best time to have the spring booster is around six months after the previous booster, although the minimum interval is three months.
You can find your nearest walk-in clinic on the NHS site finder website or book an appointment via the National Booking System.
 Check visitor arrangements at hospitals and care homes
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Devon some hospitals and care homes have taken the difficult decision to restrict visitors in order to protect vulnerable patients/ residents and staff.
If you are planning to visit someone in hospital or in a care home, please ring ahead or check their website to find out about visitor arrangements.
A service that we fund, which helps young people find work or enter education and build their confidence, has been recognised by the Exeter Living Awards.
Youth Hub Devon, and Exeter Works, which supports adults, both won the prestigious 'Civic' category for their outstanding contribution to the city.
Both projects were set up in response to the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting local people to make the most of the opportunities available to them.
Kate, a user of the Youth Hub, said:
"I would not have the job I am in now without the help of the lovely staff at the Youth Hub, and I am grateful for their their help."
You can read more about the projects and their awards in the news story on our website.
 We are looking for more feet on the street
Do you like being outside in the fresh air and helping people? Do you have great communication skills and an eye for detail? Join our dedicated and highly professional team of Civil Enforcement Officers who help to keep traffic flowing across Devon and support the local economy.
No experience is necessary as we provide a full and comprehensive training package so you can carry out the role to the very best of your abilities, you just need a can-do attitude, good judgement skills and a sense of fairness.
In return for your hard work, we offer a starting salary of £20,444 (£10.60 per hour) and with enhancements for evenings, weekends and bank holidays, you could earn around £23,300 working full time hours (37 hours per week).
For full details about the role, benefits, salary enhancements and to apply please visit the Devon Jobs website.
 Devon's built environment SMEs to benefit from £10,000 government grants
Building Growth South West is inviting people from small and medium sized construction enterprises (SMEs) to their event at the Devon Hotel on Friday 1 April, where they will have an opportunity to access up to £10,000 in government grants, and an opportunity to network with other businesses in the area.
The Community Renewal Fund will help new or emerging SMEs (pre-start or in the first three years of trading) who are based in the Devon County Council area with cash grants to help them develop and grow. The grants are open to anyone who is working in the built environment including facilities management, mechanical engineering, construction, professional services or landscaping.
The grants, which will be made available on a first come first served basis and must be spent by June 2022, can be used to fund whatever the business needs whether it is new tools, new kit, legal fees or skills training.
You can sign up to attend via the Eventbrite website.
 And finally... Although there are no longer legal restrictions, COVID-19 is still out there and infecting a lot of people.
Case numbers in Devon are still rising, and we all have a responsibility to keep taking these five simple steps so we can protect ourselves, our loved ones and communities:
- stay at home if you can, if you have symptoms of an infectious illness, and test for COVID-19 🏘️
- please continue to wear a face covering in crowded enclosed places, unless you're exempt 😷
- get vaccinated to help protect yourself and others from becoming seriously ill 💉
- Let fresh air in when you meet others indoors 💨
- wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds 🧼
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