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All Devon residents, especially those in their 20s and 20s, are urged to make renewed efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus following a large increase in cases in the county.
Over 300 new cases have been confirmed in the past two days, with 247 of them in Exeter, although a proportion of the cases are sampled from last week due to the widely reported technical issue over the weekend with the dashboard.
Dr Virginia Pearson, Devon Director of Public Health, said the surge in Exeter requires focused attention, but is still largely within the University of Exeter student population.
He said the rise in non-college student cases in Exeter reflects similar increases across the county, suggesting little evidence so far of spread to city communities, but that he is asking all Devon residents of all ages. , but especially to late teens in their mid twenties, to renew efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
MSOA’s current cluster maps, covering the period from September 25 to October 1, show nine areas of Exeter with at least three cases. New groups of three were added to the map today at Heavitree West & Polsloe, St Thomas East, and Mincinglake & Beacon Heath, with four at St Leonard’s, five at Pinhoe and Whipton North, seven at Middlemoor & Sowton, and then in the student group areas, 23 in St James’s Park & Hoopern, 31 in Central Exeter and 127 in Pennsylvania & University.
Other case groups outside Exeter include Cranbrook, Broadclyst & Stoke Canon (5), Clyst, Exton & Lympstone (6), Starcross & Exminster (4), with other groups in Devon from Bradninch, Silverton & Thorverton (5) , Dawlish North (3), Teignmouth South (4), Ashburton and Buckfastleigh (3), Tavistock (3) and Bere Alston, Buckland Monachorum & Yelverton (4). However, the group in South Molton has disappeared from the map.
Over the past three days, 33 new cases have been confirmed in East Devon, 285 in Exeter, 14 in Mid Devon, nine in North Devon, ten in South Hams, 21 in Torbay, 24 in Teignbridge, six in Torridge and seven in West Devon, with 110 more in Cornwall and 62 in Plymouth, although with the data lag, many of the cases are almost a week old, if not longer.
But Dr. Pearson said that while Devon has seen a sharp increase in the number of positive cases reported, as the national test and trace reporting system works through its widely reported glitch over the weekend, the delay in reporting the most recent cases, it did not delay any local intervention around tracking and tracing.
She said: “We expect confirmed cases to continue to increase while national reports are updated. Despite the increase, Devon County still has fewer confirmed cases than most other local authority areas for comparable population and density.
“However, the most recent data now shows an increase in Exeter, still largely within the student population at the University of Exeter, that requires focused attention.
“We have been working very closely with Public Health England, the University of Exeter and Exeter City Council, and steps have already been taken to reduce the wider spread of the infection.
“They include restricting movement between the homes of college students in the city and greater assessment capacity for its students and staff. Analysis to date has shown that the infection is spreading in social settings and between student homes and accommodation, and we continue to work with the University to reduce risk in that context.
“The rise in non-college student cases in Exeter reflects similar increases across the county, suggesting little evidence so far that it has spread to city communities.
“We call on all Devon residents of all ages, but especially teens in their twenties, to make renewed efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
“To avoid much tighter restrictions on our movements, we must all do our part:
- keep a safe distance from others, 2 meters is preferable
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water and use hand sanitizer when available.
- wear a face cover when indoors in public spaces with other people outside your home or bubble; and when in closed public spaces, such as in public transport
“If you have symptoms (high temperature, new and continuous cough, or changes in your sense of smell or taste), you should isolate yourself immediately. Do it and then schedule the test.
“If one person in your household tests positive, all household members must self-isolate for the full 14 days. Other household members do not need to be tested unless they develop symptoms.
“If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace because you have been in close contact with a confirmed case, and are advising you to self-isolate for 14 days, do so for the entire time. Proper self-isolation is vital to reduce the risk of spreading infection There should be no shortcuts.
“These rules require that we all pay attention and take individual and collective responsibility. The sooner we control the spread of infection, the sooner we can expect restrictions to be loosened.
“We are monitoring the latest data very closely so that we can respond quickly and assess whether the current restrictions are sufficient or if additional stricter measures are required.”
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