Devon County Council have updated their Coronavirus website and it now includes links to all the relevant data for Devon in an accessible format. The following advice/information is taken from that site.

Devon, so far, is doing well to keep the number of confirmed cases low, even after there’s been easing of lockdown restrictions. That’s largely due to residents, and visitors, sticking to the guidance. There is no sign of any impact from the relaxation of lockdown or increased visitor numbers.

"To protect yourself and others, when you leave home you must:

• keep washing your hands regularly

• wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces

• stay at least a metre, or better still two, away from people not in your household."

We're still posting the latest national, regional and local updates and developments, but recently we've included links to the available data.

"The data is publicly available from different sources, but we've pulled it together into the one place to give Devon residents and visitors to the county access to the latest information.

Devon County Council is also actively recruiting people to work in the Adult Care sector, particularly people aged 16 - 25 years who would be interested in making it their long term career choice. Details are available on the following link.

https://www.proudtocaredevon.org.uk/careers/

The government has recommended further lockdown easing measures from June 1st. Six people from differing households (England only) can meet OUTSIDE maintaining social distancing. This includes gardens. Regular hand washing is required and it is recommended people take their own cups/utensils etc. Visitors should only enter the house if it is the only way to access the garden. Entering the house to use the toilet should be avoided wherever possible (unless it's your house!!). If you do have to use the toilet facilities you should wash your hands before and after doing so. All hard surfaces should be wiped down with an appropriate cleaner before leaving the premises.

It is now a crime to stay at someone else's home overnight, or to hold gatherings of two or more people indoors or more than six people outdoors, under new legislation.

Minimising contact with others is still the best way to prevent transmission. You should also try to avoid seeing people from too many households in quick succession - so that we can avoid the risk of quick transmission from lots of different families and continue to control the virus.

Clinically extremely vulnerable people will be able to go outside with members of their household from Monday, while continuing to follow physical distancing guidelines. Those who live alone can meet outside with one other person from another household while maintaining social distancing. They should not go to the shops etc as before.

The above information is taken from the Prime Minister's statement and press release.

With my public health head on there are some points to consider for our community. This advice is being widely ignored nationally which increases the risk to us all but particularly those in at risk groups ( see previous Post 8 if you are unsure if this applies to you). The contact and trace service is beginning to operate. The criteria are that you will be required to quarantine yourself for 2 weeks if you are identified as having been within one metre of an infected person for a few seconds ( think narrow paths to the beach) or within 2 metres for more than 15 minutes. This gives an indication of how infectious coronavirus is. As stated above minimising contact is the best way to avoid being in this situation. There is also evidence that people are beginning to ignore the isolate advice if they have symptoms , this advice remains as stated in previous posts.