Devon doesn't qualify for mass testing

County will have to wait

Devon’s Director of Public Health has said it is absolutely vital that any coronavirus vaccine isn’t taken as a green light to relax our efforts in halting the spread of the disease. And while mass testing will be rolled out across 66 local authorities in the UK, Devon is not set to be one of the authorities to take part initially. Public Health Devon said that the county currently doesn’t qualify as they will be rolled out in the areas with higher infection rates first.

Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech are applying for approval to use the vaccine. A limited number of people may get the vaccine this year, while the UK has already ordered 40 million doses – enough to immunise up to 20 million people.

Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health Devon, said that it's exceptionally good news. But she added: “It is however still early days, and while the announcement yesterday is tremendously positive, there is still a lot of work to do nationally before a programme of mass vaccination is possible, but the NHS is currently putting in place plans to deliver a COVID vaccine to priority groups.

“While the announcement is positive, it is absolutely vital that we do not take this it as a green light to relax our efforts in halting the spread of coronavirus.   It is imperative therefore that we continue to make every effort to follow the national public health advice, to the letter.

“That means, maintaining social distance, wearing face coverings when out and in enclosed spaces where social distancing is difficult, and washing our hands properly and regularly.

“We are in week two of the current national lockdown restrictions.  For these restrictions to halt the rising number of positive cases, we must all follow the current rules, and only to venture out for the permitted reasons, but otherwise to minimise social contact as much as possible. Once out of the current national lockdown, we do not want additional restrictions in Devon. To avoid that, we need to remain absolutely alert to ongoing risk, at all times and in all situations.”

The current infection rate for Devon is 91.6 per 100,000 population, with 736 cases confirmed in the last seven days, with the average rate for England being 232.4 per 100,000 population.