'Alarming' rise in Covid-19 across Highlands as 28 cases are recorded in Caithness in June
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Health chiefs have warned of an "alarming" rise in Covid-19 in the Highlands after it emerged that 28 cases have been recorded in Caithness so far this month compared with none at all in May.
Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland’s director of public health, called for communities across the region to remain vigilant and said: “Covid-19 has definitely not gone away."
The health board said there had been a significant increase in cases, with 83 notified throughout its area on Tuesday amid concerns over the Delta variant and greater social mixing. It highlighted rising numbers in Caithness, Inverness and Nairn, as well as in Oban, Helensburgh and Dunoon in Argyll and Bute.
Dr Allison said: “As well as an increase in cases, we are seeing an increasing number of outbreaks in our communities. Covid-19 is spreading much more rapidly as a result of the Delta variant and because of the increase in mixing.
“Covid-19 has definitely not gone away. Not only is this rise in cases impacting on the individuals affected but multiple school classes are self-isolating, businesses across Highland have closed due to outbreaks and there have also been impacts on our local healthcare services as a result of staff isolating.
“It is vital that we all continue to follow the Scottish Government FACTS guidance and that we all minimise contact with other people to try and reduce the spread while the rates of Covid-19 are high. Although the levels have reduced, this doesn’t mean that Covid-19 has gone away.”
In the Wick area, letters were sent out to parents this week after a pupil at Newton Park Primary School and another at Wick High tested positive for the virus. There have been reports of Covid among staff at Highland Council's waste team in Wick.
Harper's Bar and Function Suite in the town centre closed temporarily after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus, while a temporary mobile post office is in operation in Wick this week because of Covid-related staffing issues affecting the High Street branch.
NHS Highland is urging communities across the region to remain vigilant for Covid symptoms. Typical symptoms are a new and continuous cough, a high temperature or fever and a loss of, or change in, normal taste or smell.
However, people with Covid-19 can show a wide range of symptoms including headache, sore muscles and joints, tiredness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting. Anyone becoming unwell should isolate immediately and seek a PCR test. Tests can be booked through NHS Inform online or by calling 0800 028 2816.
Dr Allison added: “Given the rapid rise in cases, the contact tracing team are working extremely hard but it is taking a little bit longer for the contact tracing team to make contact. Please bear with the team and continue to isolate and the team will be in touch as soon as they can.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the public for their engagement and for everything they are doing to try to reduce the spread within their local communities.
“The vaccination programme is incredibly successful but not everyone has been vaccinated and it is vital that we are cautious until everyone has had an opportunity to be vaccinated. Please limit your contact with other people to try to minimise the risk of further spread."
NHS Highland issued the following numbers for areas with in the region:
- Caithness – 28 cases in June to date. There were no recorded cases in May.
- Nairn – 18 cases in June to date. There were fewer than five recorded cases in May.
- Inverness – 73 cases in June to date. There were 45 recorded cases in May.
- Oban – 64 cases in June to date. There were fewer than five recorded cases in May.
- Dunoon – 59 cases in June to date. There were fewer than five recorded cases in May.
- Helensburgh and Garelochhead – 106 cases in June to date. There were 10 recorded cases in May.
