complacency about the potential impact we may face this winter. the efforts that have been made by so many over the past month to step up compliance with mitigations and drive up vaccination rates do seem to be working. we have collectively halted the search and brought case numbers down. but, and this is always the most difficult messages, cases are still too high for comfort, so it is vital we do not let up and we maintain the progress of the last few weeks. that has to be a collective endeavour, as ever. all of us have a part to play in keeping transmission under control so i will close as usual with the remainer of the three key things we can all do to protect ourselves and others. first, do get vaccinated if you are eligible and have not yet done so. this does remain the single most important thing any of us can do. second, please test regularly with lateral flow devices. these can be ordered through the nhs inform website are collected from a local