The South Hams waits for the outcome of this afternoon’s government Cabinet meeting to discuss whether new anti-Covid measures will need to be introduced before Christmas,

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and England’s chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty have been briefing the cabinet.

England director at the Royal College of Nursing Patricia Marquis calls on ministers to listen to "whatever the scientific advisers are saying" about the pattern of Omicron’s spread and "the effect that it’s having on people, their health and the health services" to ease off the pressure on the NHS.

Cases of Omicron are rising.

Locally the latest figures date from the week to December 14. They show Kingsbridge with the highest number of cases per 100,000 at 944.1 followed by Yealmpton, Modbury & Aveton Gifford at 880.8, Ivybridge with 846, South Brent and Cornwood 723, Chillington, Torcross & Thurlestone 701.4, Salcombe, Malborough & Thurlestone 654.5 Totnes 616, and Dartmouth 572.