Covid-19 - rise in local cases

An outbreak of Coronavirus at Chulmleigh College led to two complete year groups of pupils being told to self isolate. Public Health England was called in to advise after seven children in Year 9 tested positive and one in Year 8 in mid June.

“Everyone at Chulmleigh College is saddened by the outbreak of Covid-19 in our school. Until now, we have not had an outbreak of Covid amongst our pupils,” Executive Headteacher Michael Johnson told Molton Monthly. “We’re hoping that the steps we have taken throughout the pandemic, to ensure pupils have kept within bubbles whilst in school, will limit the spread and that the infections will remain confined to this group.”

“We isolated pupils on related bus routes and in two year groups on the advice of Public Health England. We are in constant contact with them regarding the measures we need to take, and will act on their advice. We thank pupils and parents for their kindness and understanding.”

The news came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that what was hoped to be the final stage of the easing of lockdown restrictions would be delayed from June 21st until at least July 19th. It followed a rise in Covid-19 cases nationally, which started to be reflected locally towards the end of June.

For several weeks our area had remained in low single figures, but in the first two weeks of June there was a rapid increase to around 30 in North Devon and more than 25 in Mid Devon. Case rates are currently said to be highest, and increasing most rapidly, in those aged 20 to 39 years old.

“I ask all Devon residents to be patient. We will get there, but we need to move with great caution,” said Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health. “We are seeing case numbers start to rise in the county and we will see the Delta (Indian) variant becoming the dominant strain.”

“We must therefore continue to follow the all important rules on social distancing, wear face coverings when indoors in public places and wash our hands regularly.”

He reiterated calls for everyone to use the free lateral flow tests regularly, and to take up vaccine invites.

Chulmleigh College was pioneering mass Covid testing back in February

As adults 18 and over are now getting their Covid-19 vaccinations, the efforts of staff and volunteers have been hailed as ‘incredible’ as Devon’s vaccination programme marks its six-month milestone.

More than 1.3 million doses of the vaccines have been given in the county, since 81-year-old Kathleen Viney became the first person to have one in Devon. Director of Mass Vaccination, Flu and Testing at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Sue Wilkins said, “It’s incredible to think that in only six months we have managed to set up the vaccination programme here, give three quarters of adults in Devon their first dose and half the population their second.”

“So many people have worked so hard to make this happen and we are really very proud of all that the staff and volunteers have achieved.”

Some of the volunteers at the main vaccination centre in Barnstaple