Many thanks to Kevin Foster for permitting us to use part of his weekly Residents’ Update.

This is an abridged version and the full version can be found on his website.

61 Bus Returns,

A community bus service which links isolated communities with Torquay Town Centre has been relaunched this week after being suspended during the coronavirus crisis.

The number 61 service which links Livermead, St Lukes and the town centre was saved by its passengers who became subscribers in a scheme believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

The round-robin service ran six times a day and was popular with locals who nicknamed it the mobile community centre after making new friends on the half-hour journey into or out of town.

Sadly the service which relaunched last November had to be halted at the beginning of lockdown and was only able to restart again this week, subject to a passenger limit of six, all wearing facemasks.

Initially, the scheduled service which is paid for by weekly subscriptions of between £3.00 and £6.50 a week will run for the month of August to gauge demand and viability. But already it is proving a hit with some regulars.

It is great to hear the 61 is back on the road and well done to the team at the Torquay Community Development Trust for their work in achieving this.

Eat Out 2 Help Out,

The Eat Out To Help Out Scheme, which will give people up to 50 per cent off their bills in restaurants, cafes and pubs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August started this week.  

The scheme applies to all food and non-alcoholic drinks, with a maximum discount per person of £10. Across the South West Region there are 5,033 participating independent establishments, and outlets from smaller chains (those with 25 restaurants or fewer).

You can find all the details of the scheme, plus which local venues are taking part on the Government website by clicking here.

Testing Centre,

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you can go to the mobile testing site at Lymington Road in Torquay, TQ1 4BD, but you will need to book online first.

You can request a test via the Government website by clicking here or by calling 119. The mobile testing centre will not be in Torquay on Monday 10 August but will be returning on Tuesday 11 August, until at least Friday 14 August. Results are usually available within 24 hours. 

You will need to provide photo ID when you attend the centre.

Anyone who has symptoms can request a test to check if you have coronavirus symptoms just click here to visit the relevant section of the NHS website.

Face Coverings Change,

Face coverings will have to be worn in a range of new settings including cinemas, places of worship, bingo halls and salons when fresh government rules come into force today (Saturday 7^th August).

There are exemptions for those with medical conditions which would make the wearing of a face covering difficult. You can read full details of the guidance on this from the Government website by clicking here.

I would like to thank the vast majority who have respected the rules since they were introduced in shops and on public transport. Like many update readers I am not a big fan of wearing them myself, but with some of the most vulnerable in our bay who have been shielding for months now being able to get out and about again this is a small thing to do in order to further reduce the risks for them in doing so.

The aim of the rules is not to filter the air you are breathing, but to capture the droplets we all breathe out and which can carry the virus. Hence this issue cannot be one of personal choice as the decision not to wear one (without good reason) does not affect the person concerned’s risk of catching the virus, but others near them.

If you no longer wish to receive emails from the St Luke’s Residents Group. Visit the stlukesra.org.uk homepage. Click on ‘Manage your subscriptions’ in the box located in the centre of the page.

or

If you are aware of any resident who is not on our database and would like to receive regular updates they can add their email address in the box on the right of the Home page and click ‘Subscribe’.

A resident is very kindly making face masks to raise funds for the St Luke’s Residents Association.

If you would like to have one of these beautifully made masks please contact either Mandy Thrift on 07841350487 or Pauline Baker on 07788104132.

A donation for each mask would be expected and really appreciated.

Many thanks to Kevin Foster for permitting us to use part of his weekly Residents’ Update.

This is an abridged version and the full version can be found on his website.

Latest on Covid-19

These figures for our region were published on Friday and showed a very small rise in the number of cases across Devon and Cornwall compared to last week.

32 new cases were confirmed across both testing pillars (Hospital and Community), compared to 29 the week before. Yet not all the newly confirmed cases relate to recent infections. Of the 31, 18 had been recorded in the previous 7 days, with 13 relating to tests between 11th and 16th July. Over the last seven days 3 cases were confirmed in Torbay, although 2 historical duplicate cases were removed from our overall numbers. To put these numbers into perspective nearly 2,000,000 people live in Devon and Cornwall.

Most encouragingly of all it has now been over 3 weeks since there was a Hospital Death related to Covid-19 in Devon and Cornwall. Given how low cases now are across our region the “r” number can vary significantly due to small differences in numbers, eg a large household or a small household catching it, hence it is quoted less as the focus is on tracking down cases.

Face Coverings When Shopping,

From Friday it was compulsory to wear a face covering when you visit business such as supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and takeaways, unless one of the exemptions applies to you.

The covering can be as simple as a scarf or bandana secured over your mouth and nose, it does not need to be a purpose made mask. You can see a handy video on Youtube produced by the US Surgeon General showing how to make a covering out of an old t-shirt or item of cloth by clicking here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4)

You can find the full guidance on the new rules, including the exemptions, on the Government website.

Torquay Testing Station

The COVID-19 mobile testing centre will be in Torquay until at least Friday 31 July.

If you are eligible for a test you can go to the mobile testing site at Lymington Road in Torquay, TQ1 4BD, but you will need to book online first. You can apply for a Coronavirus test by clicking here (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested) . You will need to provide photo ID.

The eligibility criteria for a test now applies to anyone who may be displaying symptoms. You can check the symptoms on the NHS website.

Flu Vaccine Expanded,

A major extension to the Flu Vaccination programme was announced by the Government today as part of plans to help prepare the NHS for winter.

A significant new group will be eligible for the free flu vaccine as people aged 50 to 64 will be invited later in the season for a vaccination.

As part of an unprecedented drive, a free flu vaccine will also be available to:
* people who are on the shielded patient list and members of their household
* all school year groups up to year 7
* people aged over 65, pregnant women, those with pre-existing conditions including at-risk under 2s

Once vaccination of the most ‘at-risk’ groups is well underway, the Department of Health and Social Care will work with clinicians to decide when to open the programme to invite people aged 50 to 64, with further details to be announced. The NHS will contact people directly, including information about where to go to get the vaccine.

The expanded flu vaccination programme is part of plans to ready the NHS – both for the risk of a second peak of coronavirus cases, and to relieve winter pressures on A&E and emergency care. The vaccination will not be compulsory for the groups listed.

Contacting Your GP,

More people in Devon are seeing their GPs as services including routine vaccinations and smear tests are now being offered in addition to GP appointments.

GP services are fully available and to raise awareness of this the NHS is highlighting the following:
1. If you need to see a GP, contact them online via their website, or by phone
2. You will be offered a telephone, online or video consultation
3. Your GP may suggest you have a face-to-face appointment in the practice
4. If you do need to visit for an appointment, your practice will tell you everything you need to know when you come and what measures are in place to keep you safe
5. If your GP thinks you need to be referred to hospital for review or treatment, they will arrange this
6. If you are given an appointment, it’s really important to attend

For more information on how to get the best out of your NHS services just click here. (https://devonccg.nhs.uk/news/its-easy-to-see-your-gp-six-things-you-need-to-know)

Sign Up For Eat Out 2 Help Out,

If you run a hospitality business in the bay you can use the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out Scheme to offer a discount to diners and encourage them to eat at your restaurant, but must register to do so.

You can use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme:

·       all day, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 31 August 2020

·       to offer a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner)

·       to claim the money back from the government

There is no limit to the number of times customers can use the offer during the period of the scheme. Your customers cannot get a discount for someone who is not eating or drinking.

Alcohol and service charges are excluded from the offer. Registration will close on 31 August.

You can register online on the Government website.

Campaign Against Beach Litter Launched,

New signs and stickers will be appearing across Babbacombe Downs, Princess Gardens in Torquay, Preston beach promenade and Goodrington beach promenade in a drive to cut the amount of rubbish left by visitors.

Torbay Council is working in partnership with environment charity Keep Britain Tidy as part of a project funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation.

The new campaign, which was piloted by the environment charity during the summer of 2018, saw beach litter reduce by an average of 26% and by as much as 59% on one beach, will be appearing at the four key locations across Torbay and will be in place throughout the summer.

If you no longer wish to receive emails from the St Luke’s Residents Group. Visit the stlukesra.org.uk homepage. Click on ‘Manage your subscriptions’ in the box located in the centre of the page.

or

If you are aware of any resident who is not on our database and would like to receive regular updates they can add their email address in the box on the right of the Home page and click ‘Subscribe’.

The St Luke’s Virtual Quiz is taking place again tonight at 6.30pm ready for a 7.00pm start.

If you are interested in taking part email Martin Thrift on martinthrift@gmail.com

The categories tonight will be: Pot Luck: Places: Years and Numbers: Sport: Music: Animals and Nature: Multiple Choice: TV and Film: Food and Drink and True or False.

A Joker can be played anytime at the start of the relevant category.

Martin produces a very good quiz – please join us if you can.

It is a lot of fun.

If you need any help downloading zoom.us please contact me (Andy) on 07717524919.

The St Luke’s Virtual Quiz is taking place again tonight at 6.30pm ready for a 7.00pm start.

If you are interested in taking part email Martin Thrift on martinthrift@gmail.com

The categories tonight will be: Pot Luck: Places: Years and Numbers: Sport: Music: Country Towns: Multiple Choice: TV and Film: Food and Drink and True or False.

A Joker can be played anytime at the start of the relevant category.

Martin produces a very good quiz – please join us if you can.

It is a lot of fun.

If you need any help downloading zoom.us please contact me (Andy) on 07717524919.