WITH Covid-19 rates rising, people attending health appointments at their GP or in hospital are being strongly encouraged to wear a mask by the NHS in Devon

The same advice is being issued to people visiting friends or family in hospital or a care home.

There are currently six times as many people in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 than the beginning of June; over 300 patients.

More than 1,000 hospital staff are absent due to Covid-19; four times the number in early June.

Community Covid-19 rates are less accurate, due to reduced testing, but have seen similar increases. This impacts on NHS services, leading health bosses to ask the public for their support.

Dr Nigel Acheson, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Devon said: ‘Covid-19 is still, very much a part of our lives. We want to minimise the impact it has on our services and our ability to tackle the waiting lists that have built up during the pandemic.

‘We’ve tightened infection prevention and control measures in hospitals, GP practices and other healthcare settings and we’re asking you to support us.

‘Please wear a mask to your appointment and when are visiting a loved one, stay away if you have symptoms of Covid-19 and continue to social distance and wash your hands.’

Meanwhile it is not too late for people to have any Covid-19 vaccinations they are eligible for.  Appointments can be booked online or by calling 119 and walk in clinics are published on the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination-site/