LOCAL people are being asked to ’do their bit to help the NHS this winter’ after it was revealed that 810 NHS staff in Devon are off sick with covid.

This staff shortage comes as the number of patients in Devon’s hospitals with Covid-19 almost doubled in the first three weeks of October, ratcheting up pressure on hospitals as winter begins to bite.

In response, the NHS is urging people to do everything they can to avoid catching and spreading covid from vaccination to social distancing, wearing masks in confined spaces and washing their hands. People should also have a flu jab, as flu cases are expected to be higher than average this winter.

Everyone is being urged to take regular lateral flow tests as a precautionary measure; these are available free of charge from the NHS and are done at home.

And, in a bid to check the rising number of covid cases in secondary schools county wide, 12-15 year olds were being invited to book vaccinations at four centres across the county, including Home Park in Plymouth and Greendale Business Centre near Exeter, during this half-term week.

Adults over 50 and those with underlying health conditions who had the two jabs earlier in the year are also being called for booster covid jabs.

Steve Brown, Devon’s director of public health, said: ’The public health advice is clear. It is a totally sensible precaution to continue wearing face coverings when indoors with people you don’t live with, especially in confined spaces such as on public transport.

’Case rates in the county are rising again, especially in the secondary school age population, and that’s also now reflected in case numbers among their parents’ age. We encourage everyone to continue to take sensible precautions to protect themselves, their families and others from the spread of coronavirus.’

Booster vaccine doses are being offered to people most at risk from Covid-19 who have already had two doses of a vaccine more than six months (182 days) ago. People are being advised to wait to be contacted via letter, text or email before trying to book.

Once you have received your invitation, you can book using the National Booking Service online or calling 119. As well as four vaccination centres in Plymouth, Exeter, Barnstaple and Torquay, there will be local sites include pharmacies and GP practices. Pop up vaccine will also be held, as has happened throughout the vaccination programme.