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Temperatures are set to soar this weekend, and the world’s leaders attending the G7 conference in Cornwall will be seeing the south-west at its sunny best. And while many a hot topic will be on the discussion table indoors, among them no doubt coronavirus, the higher temperatures, indoors and out, carry health risks that can be amplified during the pandemic, particularly for those spending more time at home because of self-isolating. Social distancing measures have also reduced the opportunities for people to check on vulnerable friends and neighbours and some people may avoid seeking emergency healthcare when needed because of fears of catching coronavirus.

We were asked this week how Devon has been able to keep case numbers down, while elsewhere in the country they’re rising. It’s partly due to people following the public health guidance. And it’s a reflection of the speed in which authorities have responded to outbreaks, and how they’ve worked within those settings to prevent further spread. Testing and tracing in Devon has also been effective. Devon’s rollout with the vaccine is also going very well, and that’s having a positive impact on the numbers of people becoming seriously ill or needing hospitalisation due to coronavirus.

It’s a bank holiday this weekend, followed by the May half-term break next week, and we are encouraging everyone to enjoy the time safely, whether at home or away, by continuing to follow the advice and guidance to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. We are experiencing isolated outbreaks in some settings but with little evidence of the virus transmitting widely within those local communities. Across Devon positive case numbers are low compared to previous months in all age groups, although rates are slightly higher in those aged under 40 years old. Case rates are currently highest in the South Hams area.

There’s been a significant easing of coronavirus restrictions this week, the biggest being that it is now your choice about whether to keep your distance when meeting family and friends you don’t live with. Devon’s Director of Public Health, Steve Brown, advises caution. He said: “While coronavirus is still present in our communities, and people are still at risk of catching it and spreading it, the common sense approach is the cautious approach.

After well over a year now of keeping our distance from those we don’t live with, many of us will be looking forward to giving our nearest and dearest a long awaited hug next week. But please remain cautious and continue to follow health protection measures where you can.

This week, we brought you the results of the recent Devon County Council elections.
Now, Councillor John Hart, the Council’s Leader Elect, is taking the opportunity to thank Team Devon for the way the partners have pulled together during the coronavirus pandemic to support Devon residents. Team Devon, which includes District, Borough and City Councils, Town and Parish Councils, as well as independent and voluntary sector groups, has worked together as part of the county’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

A big thank you to all Devon residents who voted in the local elections and for the support they gave polling station staff in following the COVID-19 restrictions to ensure the process was as safe as possible for everyone involved. New council promises all-out effort to drive Devon’s economic recovery.

Everyone’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year has been different, but there’s no doubt that it has been a difficult time for us all. This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, so it’s a good time to remember that taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body, especially during this difficult time.

Coronavirus case numbers in Devon have risen slightly again this week. That’s to be expected though, because of the increase in regular testing of people without symptoms identifying cases that otherwise would have gone undetected. These cases are picked up through routine rapid, lateral flow device (LFD) testing, either at our assisted mobile testing sites, or by people self-testing at home

With a long bank holiday weekend ahead of us, we are urging everyone to stay safe and continue to follow the COVID-19 restrictions while enjoying more of the freedoms we have missed during lockdown. Everyone in Devon over the age of 16 years old can now get free rapid lateral flow device (LFD) COVID-19 tests, and should be using them twice a week. COVID-19 vaccination programme in Devon enters next phase with 40 year olds able to book now.