coronavirus

Lockdown, pandemic, stay home

Advice to "think twice" before leaving home

Devon’s Director of Public Health, Steve Brown, has called on us all to be extra vigilant in following the Government’s COVID-19 lockdown rules, and to “think twice” before we leave our homes.

This follows a stark warning from the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, that the next few weeks will be “the worst” of the pandemic for the NHS, and that the UK will go through the...

AstraZeneca, vaccine, covid-19

New Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine being given to first patients in Devon

The new Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is being given to the first people in Devon today (8 January), with thousands more doses expected to be administered in coming days and weeks.

Unlike the Pfizer vaccine, the first to be approved, the Oxford vaccine does not need to be stored at ultra-low temperatures and is much easier to move, making it easier for the NHS in Devon to vaccinate...

East Devon District Council Services – Coronavirus restrictions update

Measures to abide by the national coronavirus lockdown are being put in place by East Devon District Council following the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday.

Although most council services will continue as normal, there are restrictions that residents need to be aware of.

Nineteen public toilets across the district, which are being cleaned daily to strict Covid-19...

Devon County Council leader's pledge on lockdown

Devon County Council stands ready to help those who are most badly affected by the latest lockdown, council leader John Hart declared today.

And he appealed to everyone in the county to abide by the rules and defeat the latest virulent strain of the virus.

Mr Hart said the arrangements that had been made during the first two lockdowns were already in place to...

covid, coronavirus

Prime Minister announces national lockdown

The Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown in response to rising case numbers across the UK, to take affect from midnight tonight.

In his address to the nation this evening, Mr Johnson instructed people to stay at home and only to leave their house for essential reasons, such as shopping, working (if not possible to work from home), exercise, medical assistance, and to...

Devon to move up to Tier 3

The government has reviewed the tier restrictions, and Devon is to move up to Tier 3 from Thursday 31 December.

That means:

  • You must not meet socially indoors with anybody who you do not live with, or you are not in a support bubble with*.
  • You must not meet socially outdoors (in a private garden or at most outdoor public venues) with anybody who
  • ...
Coronavirus, vaccination, covid, Devon

More coronavirus vaccination sites begin operating in Devon

More coronavirus vaccination centres began seeing patients today (29 December), with facilities opening in North Devon and Exeter.

Two centres run by local GPs opened their doors in Barnstaple and Exeter while North Devon District Hospital will joined the network of hospital hubs delivering vaccinations.

At North Devon District Hospital, in Barnstaple, patients aged 80 and...

Plymouth is top global recruiter for Covid-19 vaccine trial

University Hospitals Plymouth is currently the top recruiting site across the world for the international Covid-19 vaccine trial which launched on Monday this week.

The research team at the Trust have so far seen record numbers of volunteers register their interest to participate in the trial, and have been taken aback by the willingness of over 1500 residents of Plymouth and the...

Devon’s Director of Public Health issues a new plea to "keep our wits about us"

Steve Brown, Devon's Director of Public Health (Designate) has issued a new plea.

"There's so much to distract us at the moment with one thing or another, and a lot of it positive.

“We have Christmas approaching and talk of families being able to come together.

“We have new rapid test pilots happening across the country, Devon included, enabling people to see their...

Urgent call for 500 Plymouth volunteers to take part in a new Covid-19 vaccine study

Six thousand UK volunteers will from today (Monday 16 November) be called upon to join another leading phase three Covid-19 vaccine study, as researchers around the world continue to work to secure a range of vaccines to help tackle coronavirus.

The latest study, co-funded by the UK government’s Vaccine Taskforce, will test the safety and effectiveness of a new two-dose regimen for a...

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