Newsletters - September 2020

Devon’s infection rate is still comparatively low, but the number of positive coronavirus (COVID-19) tests has risen this week, in line with the national trend. We currently have 61 cases across the whole of Devon reported in the latest data, and a little over half of those have been new cases in Exeter. These are cases linked to the University of Exeter and a number of students who have recently arrived for the start of term already with the virus and inadvertently passed it on to their housemates. They, and their households, are all self-isolating and following public health advice, and there’s no evidence at this stage of the virus spreading into the community. We’re monitoring the data closely so that we can respond immediately to changes as they arise.

Dr Virginia Pearson, the Director of Public Health Devon said this week that it’s clear that there are some real issues with public access to testing via the NHS Test and Trace system across Devon, and that it is a national issue. She was commenting following release of the latest data that actually shows a big rise in the number of tests completed in the last seven days, (around 8,500), compared to the previous week (around 6,500). The number of confirmed cases in Devon have also fallen in the last week, from 54 to 26.

The number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across England is rising. That’s true of case numbers in Devon too. The Director of Public Health Devon, Dr Virginia Pearson, has this week issued a fresh warning, urging all Devon residents – of all ages, but specifically to younger residents – to follow the public health advice at all times. The number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Devon is still very low comparatively, but it is rising. Not all new cases are now linked to the returning international travellers, which was the pattern we had seen previously. Our younger residents – those in their late teens and early twenties – are a tricky audience to reach with public messages, so here is a personal appeal to parents and families with dependents around that age to remind them how important it is to protect themselves and others.

Those of you who follow the numbers will have seen a rise in cases of coronavirus in Devon in the last two to three weeks. The numbers though are still comparatively very low compared to elsewhere in the country, and the risk of spread within communities in Devon is also still very low. The story this week is largely the same as last. During August, groups of people travelled abroad on holiday, and a some of them returned with coronavirus. They were picked up immediately by NHS Test and Trace on their return and they and their contacts advised to self-isolate. The numbers currently stand at around 30 cases in Devon, about the same last week. As those earlier returns come out of self-isolation, we’ve got equal numbers going in. With August behind us, we expect the numbers will start to fall again.

The start of the academic year isn’t far away now, and all children and young people in Devon will be required to go back to school, but things will be a little different to normal this year. Why are all children going back to school? Check your return date. What safety measures will be in place? New advice on face coverings in education. Travel to school – walking and cycling. Changes to school transport. Tips to help your child prepare for school. Supporting your child’s mental health. Changes to breakfast, after school and holiday clubs. Free school meals and funding. Applying for 30 hours funded childcare.