Health Agency amber alert until Wednesday
Gritters have been out across Devon as temperatures dropped as low as minus five on Thursday night.
Devon County Council says its crews were exepected to cover around 1,700 miles of roads.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)'s amber cold health alert (CHA) is in place across England until midday on Wednesday next week, having been upgraded from yellow.
It's expected that further pressure will be put on health services, which are already coping with a 'quadruple' whammy of four severe viruses.
People aged 65 years and over, those with pre-existing health conditions (including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases) and some other vulnerable groups, such as those sleeping rough are at greater risk.
Sarah Bird, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West, said: “The forecasted temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable. These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”
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