The final stage of easing lockdown restrictions in England has been delayed until 19 July.
Scientists advising the government had warned of a "significant resurgence" in people needing hospital treatment for Covid-19 if stage four of easing the lockdown went ahead on 21 June.
The COVID-19 case rate in Devon has been increasing over the past couple of weeks, a pattern which is reflected both regionally and nationally. The latest rate for North Devon is 34 per 100,000 which is well below the national average of 93.7 per 100,000.
Driving that UK-wide escalation is the latest Delta strain of the virus, because it spreads more easily between people than previous variants of coronavirus. Public Health England have some useful information about COVID-19 variants on their website.
Coronavirus spreads through social contact, so the government announcement that the lifting of many restrictions will be delayed until Monday 19 July is good from the public health perspective, because most of the rules limiting social contact will remain in place for a while longer, allowing more people to get those all important first and second dose vaccinations.
People in North Devon who have been told to self-isolate are being advised that help is available from the North Devon Council support hub.
The dedicated helpline offers practical support to people if they haven’t already got help from family, friends and neighbours or from within the local community.
The support that can be provided includes:
• food shopping and delivery for households self-isolating
• urgent prescription collections and delivery
• help with organising a priority supermarket slot with Tesco or Iceland
• links to financial advice and short term financial payments for those in hardship as a result of self isolation
Also, people who are on a low income and face financial difficulty as a result of having to self-isolate, may be entitled to receive help through the Test and Trace support payment scheme. People can find out if they are eligible and apply on the council's website or they can call 01271 388877.
If people do not qualify to receive financial support via the Test and Trace support payment scheme, they may be eligible to receive a payment through the Covid-19 Local Hardship Fund. To find out if they are eligible, they need to call the support hub on 01271 388877.
 An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status.
The NHS app is different to the Track and Trace app and must be downloaded separately.
You may be asked to show your pass to get into some events, where the COVID Pass is being trialled, or to travel abroad.
Always check the entry requirements for the venue or the country you're visiting.
To find out more, visit the:
The latest data in Devon shows the largest volume of positive Covid-19 cases are amongst 20 to 39 year olds.
It's probably less to do with the fact they're working - we're not seeing an especially high number of outbreaks in workplace settings - and more likely that this is an age group that tends to mix more socially. We know that increased socialising, particularly indoors, increases the risk of transmission, and with pubs, restaurants and many other places open again, the opportunity for social contact is much more available.
So please be mindful. We’ve still got to be careful. There are still rules, especially around social distancing and face coverings indoors, and we need to follow them. And please take up the vaccination when you’re invited.
It's really easy to get yourself a free lateral flow test kit so you can test yourself regularly, even if you don't have symptoms, just to make sure you don't accidentally pass Covid along to your gran or grandad.
 For up to date information on cases across Devon, visit the Devon County Council Coronavirus dashboard:
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