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The latest figures from Devon County Council show that there have been 722 cases in the latest week with 735.5 cases per 100,000 people.
Lates figures taken from Devon County Council - Coronavirus Data
  Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, says:
Case rates in Devon have reached their highest levels since the start of the pandemic, with the county’s average still well above the England average. Testing however, is also above the national average, which is helping to identify positive cases. Take up of the booster vaccination is good, and that’s without doubt helping to protect people from becoming seriously unwell should they catch the virus. The vaccine is a vital part of our protection, but it’s also important to follow good public health advice.
“Testing is still important, as too is self-isolating if you test positive with a PCR test. And following the common sense precautions, remembering that this is an airborne virus, of meeting outside where possible, and ensuring good ventilation if gathering with others indoors; wearing face coverings for other people’s protection when in crowded spaces; and washing your hands regularly.”
 Let's be honest, Covid is not going to just go away. It's here to stay so we need to learn to live with it and get into the habit of testing ourselves, wearing a facemask (if you can) sanitising your hands when you're out and about and avoid crowded indoor gatherings.
The government has made a new announcement this week about when people in England should take rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests.
Previously, the advice has been to take LFD tests regularly twice a week. But the new advice is that people in England should be taking a LFD test on days when they are more likely to catch or spread COVID-19.
For example:
Research shows LFD tests are a reliable test for COVID-19. They give a quick result and do not need to be sent to a lab.
Even if you're vaccinated, you could still catch the virus or pass it on. Doing LFD tests regularly helps to protect yourself and others.
LFD tests are available from Devon’s Community Testing Service at a range of locations across Devon, your local pharmacy or they can be ordered online for home delivery.
If you test positive for COVID-19 using an LFD test, you should self-isolate immediately and request a follow-up PCR test.
 The number of patients in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 has risen substantially this month and is expected to continue rising as cases in the community increase.
There are currently 168 Covid inpatients in Devon, up from 111 in early November.
The increasing rates of Covid in the community also impact on staffing. Currently almost 600 NHS staff in Devon are off work due to Covid. This accounts for almost 1 in 4 NHS staff absences.
The high Covid rates and their impact on inpatients and staffing adds to the pressures that already exist in the local health and care system. There’s also a wider impact on people’s health and wellbeing. For every Covid patient in hospital, the NHS need to postpone, on average, another 8 operations. That means more pain and anxiety for people on their waiting lists.
People across Devon are being urged to support the NHS by helping to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 and flu viruses.
Dr Paul Johnson, Chair of NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group said: “There has been high demand for booster doses and I want to thank the tens of thousands of people in Devon who are attending our vaccine clinics for the jab each week. We are continuing to open thousands more booked appointments, in addition to pop up clinics.
“However, as the temperature drops and we are more likely to mix with people inside, it is important to remember that Devon currently has some of the highest Covid-19 rates in the UK.
“Please continue to socially distance, wear a mask when mixing with people inside and open a window where possible.”
- If you’re meeting up, do so outside where possible. If indoors, keep the room well ventilated
- Wear a face covering when indoors with people you don’t live with, especially in confined spaces such as on public transport. Open a window if possible.
- Use lateral flow tests whenever you’re in situations of higher risk, such as when meeting up with others, or in busy places
- Self-isolate if you develop symptoms and take a PCR test
- Wash your hands properly and regularly
- Ensure that you are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, including having a booster dose if you are eligible
- Have the seasonal flu vaccination
Boosters can be booked through the National Booking Service or by calling 119. You can find your nearest walk-in clinic on NHS England’s site finder here.
You can find a pharmacy near you offering the NHS flu vaccine online
If you are not eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine, you can still pay for one privately through your local pharmacy.
 Don't forget that if you want to collect LFDs from your local pharmacy, you will now need to get a collect code.
Register online for a code before picking up test kits at a pharmacy via:
gov.uk/get-collect-code or call 119 prior to making a collection.
Anyone over the age of 16 can collect a maximum of TWO boxes.
 Although the current Delta variant is more transmissible and causes more severe disease than the Alpha variant this time last year, successful vaccination programs have lead to a lower proportion of cases translating into hospital admissions, severe disease and deaths.
Immunity from first and second dose vaccinations is, however, waning. This highlights the importance of boosters, which will be key in keeping infection and hospital admission numbers down and preventing hospitals from being selective in care provided. Despite the benefit of boosters, further enforcing plan B (mandate wearing face-covering in public places, avoid indoor gatherings, encourage work from home) might be needed, should contact rates in the population keep rising. (source https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/231336/what-expected-covid-19-this-winter/)
 We have received reports from our Waste and Recycling team that our crews are finding increasing amounts of used lateral flow home testing kits in customers recycling.
We would like to remind you to please dispose of your tests in your general, black waste bin (bagged, whether it be positive or not). None of the plastic items or plastic packaging should be put into the recycling bin, they are not recyclable and also cause a risk to our crew members.
For more information on how to dispose of your lateral flow test safely, please visit our website.
Thanks in advance.
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