Honiton: East Devon District Council have urged residents to take a COVID-19 test if they feel unwell

Residents of East Devon have been urged to take lateral flow tests if they feel at all unwell, as Covid-19 cases increase in the region.

An advert posted on the council's social media says: "Spread cheer not Covid-19 this Christmas. 'Tis the season to self-isolate if you feel unwell."

The omicron variant of Covid-19 is believed to be less severe than previous variants, and many people will experience only mild, cold like symptoms.

However, the local and national government is urging people to get tested if they have a cold, as it could be Covid-19.

Confirmed Covid-19 cases in the region remain slightly below the national average, but they are increasing.

There were 1,350 cases in the week 24 – 30 December, the latest week for which there is available data.

This is an increase of 413 on the previous week.

There were 912 cases per 100,000 people in East Devon, compared with an average in England of 1,530 per 100,000 people.

In addition, from today, pupils in secondary schools will need to wear a mask. This change in government policy aligns England with the other nations of the UK.

Pupils will be required to wear a mask in their classrooms as well as in common areas. They will also need to take Covid-19 tests at school and at home.

The Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said schools need to be given tools to enable them to stay open.

In Honiton, lateral flow tests are available from Boots, Lloyds pharmacy and Tesco. In addition, there is a testing centre on the high street on Mondays and Thursdays from 9am – 1pm.

If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, you should book a PCR test here