With rates of COVID-19 at the highest they’ve ever been in Devon, the county council is reminding residents of the importance of regular testing to help keep everyone safe.

There are currently 3,309 confirmed cases.

A county council spokesperson said: ‘There’s an ongoing increase in COVID-19 cases across Devon, which is to be expected following the lifting of restrictions and greater freedom for people to socialise.

‘The highest case rates remain in the young age groups, mostly within younger working-age adults.

‘The weekly rate in Devon is currently 412 per 100,000 of the population, compared to 540 for England. All local authority districts are below the national average, except North Devon which has a rate of 563.’

Steve Brown, director of Public Health Devon, is urging residents to keep doing their bit to reduce the spread of coronavirus and to continue looking out for each other, particularly the most vulnerable, as we have done throughout the pandemic.

He said: ‘I want us to continue to be careful because positive cases in Devon are still rising. In fact at the moment we’ve got the highest rate of COVID-19 we’ve seen during the whole pandemic.

‘I strongly feel that it is up to all of us to carry on doing everything we can to continue keeping each other safe.

‘Many people, particularly if they are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, have dreaded the day legal restrictions lift for fear of catching coronavirus. I understand that you’re in a difficult position, and you may be feeling worried about the current situation.

‘Although the legal restrictions have lifted, our responsibility to members of our family, friends and society has not changed.

‘I urge everyone in Devon to choose to do the right thing and keep doing your bit to reduce the spread of coronavirus by respecting the personal space of those around you, wearing a face covering in crowded areas, getting tested regularly, having both doses of the vaccine and washing your hands properly.

‘We have been good at looking out for each other and helping those in need, so we need to respect those of us who will still be feeling anxious and behave in ways that protect them and ourselves from the risk of coronavirus.’

Testing, tracing close contacts and self-isolating is vital to managing the spread of coronavirus and reducing the risk of potentially dangerous variants spreading.

Some people might find it frustrating, or think it is pointless, but if you’re identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 you’re at least five times more likely to be infected than others. And even if you have been vaccinated you can still pass the virus on.

As more of us are out and about enjoying the freedom we’ve missed, we’re encouraging everyone in Devon to make regular symptom-free COVID-19 testing part of their everyday lives to help find cases that would otherwise go undetected and break the chains of transmission. Rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests are readily available to do at home or at one of our many walk-in sites, and you’ll get your result within 30 minutes.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, you must stay at home and self-isolate, along with anyone you live with, and take a free PCR test to confirm whether or not you have the virus. If you test positive, you will still need to self-isolate regardless of your age or vaccination status.

’To find out more about how to access COVID-19 testing in Devon, whether you have symptoms or not, please visit our website.’

All adults are being urged to get their first and second doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves and the people around them.

Vaccines are available free of charge from thousands of vaccine centres, GP practices and pharmacies. Visit the NHS website to book your COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible.