Community News pages 50-56 Coronavirus restrictions ease, but cases rocket North Devon District Hospital declared a ‘critical incident’ in mid March after a sudden rise in admissions of patients suffering from Covid-19. Sources say more than 20 were being treated at one point. After starting to fall, the number of positive cases reported rose dramatically to 860 in North Devon (up 472) and 691 in Mid Devon (up 232) in the second week of March. Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, is urging people to stay at home if they feel unwell with Coronavirus, or symptoms of other illnesses that could be infectious. His call comes as Devon is seeing a big rise again in the number of Covid-19 cases, with the latest data showing an 80 per cent increase in cases across the county in March. “I believe that many people are now left uncertain of what they should be doing, with the legal requirement to self-isolate gone, with free testing for most people about to end, and the onus now on individuals to decide for themselves what the appropriate behaviour is,” said Mr Brown. A new variant, Omicron BA.2 is now said to be becoming the dominant strain. “We’re seeing a rise across all ages in our communities, especially among the working age population. We’re seeing it in care homes, among vulnerable residents and staff. And we seeing it in hospitals, with pressures in health and care settings, compounded by staff absences due to illness.” He says there are five simple things people can do to help stop the spread: 1. Stay at home if you’ve tested positive for Covid, or have symptoms of this or other possible infections. 2. Unless you’re exempt, continue to wear face coverings when in indoor public spaces with people you don’t live with - including public transport, hospitality and retail. 3. Keep testing, and stay at home if you test positive for Coronavirus. 4. Make sure vaccinations are up to date. 5. Hand hygiene - washing your hands regularly helps prevent spreading infections.
50
Contact Molton Monthly: 07484 290500 email: info@moltonmonthly.co.uk
