COVID-19: No confirmed cases of Indian variant in Devon

There are no known cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus in Devon at the moment, the county council has said.

The new variant, which was first identified in India, is thought to spread more easily between people, but the current vaccines are still effective against it.

Currently, those cases are highest in council areas of Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Kirklees, Leicester, London Borough of Hounslow, and North Tyneside.

In those areas, public health leads and the local NHS are boosting testing and vaccinations, and supporting people to self-isolate.

But Devon County Council has confirmed that there are no known cases of the variant so far within the county, but as people plan to visit friends and families during the half term holiday, Public Health Devon is advising people to be cautious.

"If you must travel to any of those locations, please be extra cautious," said Steve Brown, director of Public Health Devon.

"Try to meet outside with family or friends rather than inside where possible. And please keep two metres apart from people that you don't live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), and this includes friends and family who you do not live with."

He added: "Lateral flow tests are quick and easy to do. Making them part of your regular weekly routine – especially when catching up with friends and family – will help to identify positive cases among people who may not be showing symptoms, so that they can self-isolate.

"If you are away visiting friends and family this holiday, please remember to take tests with you, and take them again on your return home. Testing and self-isolating if positive are how we stop the virus spreading."

Infection rates in Devon are currently 9.6 per 100,000 people, among the lowest in England, although are slightly up on the 7.9 per 100,000 the county was at this time last week.

In the seven day period of May 14 to 20, only five areas of Devon reported three or more cases of COVID-19. These were Chillington, Torcross & Stoke Fleming (9), South Molton (7), Loddiswell & Dartington (3), Ogwell, Mile End & Teigngrace (3), and St Thomas East (3).

Axminster and all surrounding areas has had fewer than three cases for several weeks now.