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Devon leader thanks residents

Saturday, 14 November 2020 16:45

By Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter

People are complying with lockdown

The leader of Devon County Council has thanked Devon residents for responding positively to the national lockdown restrictions to help stop the spread of covid-19.

Latest figures from the council show high levels of compliance with the restrictions, with movement on the roads down 30 to 40 per cent, and a fall in the numbers of people using public transport.

And while the number of positive cases of coronavirus across the county has continued to rise across all age groups, particularly in the working age population, and in all areas, numbers are still below national averages. Latest figures also relate to infections prior to the lockdown taking place.

Cllr John Hart, leader of the council, said: “The figures suggest that fewer people are out and about, and making journeys only if and when they’re necessary.  That’s what we need to see.  I want to thank our residents for the positive way that they have so far responded to this second national lockdown

“I would like to repeat the message we gave last week, for people to continue to be careful as this virus is very much around. We see a rising number of cases among workers, spreading in workplace kitchens and staff rooms or colleagues meeting in more social settings. It’s all too easy in those moments to let up.  We mustn’t.  It’s vital that we do not drop our guard.

Cllr Hart told members of the local outbreak engagement board that the director of Public Health Devon has written to around 35,000 Devon residents this week identified as being ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ due to their long term health conditions and vulnerability. Many who have registered a need for assistance are also receiving calls from their District Councils offering help.

Cllr Hart also confirmed that University of Exeter students now represent just a quarter of the total number of cases within the city, down significantly from previous weeks.

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