Increase in Covid cases in the Highlands is already having 'significant' impact ahead of winter, warns NHS Highland boss
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The high level of Covid cases in the north is having a "significant" impact on schools, families and businesses, a health boss has warned.
Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland's director of public health, urged the public to stay vigilant to minimise the spread of the virus as we head into winter.
The plea comes after Public Health Scotland figures showed there were 118 positive tests in Caithness over the latest seven-day period, from November 1 to 7, with the Wick North neighbourhood having the highest number of cases per 100,000 population in the Highlands.
Highland Council confirmed there had been cases in several Caithness schools and warned that the situation could become "more difficult" over the winter.
Four schools in Caithness were affected last week by Covid cases and associated absences – such as close contacts including staff members isolating and seeking tests – while a further four schools in the county have reported Covid cases this week.
A local authority spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that 42 cases across four schools were reported this week. The schools which reported cases this week are Newton Park Primary, Miller Academy Primary School, Noss Primary School, and Castletown Primary School.
"Schools are taking all necessary actions in line with Health Protection Team advice and guidance. The council continues to work in close partnership with NHS Highland’s Health Protection Team."
She added: "No new cases have been reported this week from Pennyland Primary, Mount Pleasant Primary, Canisbay Primary and Wick High School."
A number of schools across Highland have been affected by positive Covid-19 cases or localised outbreaks. Some, including Lochardil Primary in Inverness, had to close earlier this week, while others have been closed to certain class groups as staff and pupils follow public health advice to self-isolate and book a PCR test.
According to Highland Council's school closures website, 696 children were not at secondary school, primary or nursery on Thursday this week, although the figure the previous day was more than 800.
John Finlayson, chairman of the council's education committee, said further disruption to school life is likely.
He said "In small rural schools just one or two teachers having Covid can close the school.
"We look at each school on an individual basis. In some cases it will be year groups and then at times it will become unsustainable and perhaps the whole school will have to close.
"It's an ever changing picture. We have to keep meeting the situations as they arise, and congratulate our staff in how they cope with what is a very difficult situation, and it's probably going to be more difficult as winter comes on."
Dr Allison called on the public to help reduce transmission as much as possible.
He said: "There is still a high level of transmission of Covid-19 within the Highlands and minimising spread remains vitally important.
"There is no single situation driving the numbers up and the virus continues to spread within our communities. The impact on families, local schools and businesses remains significant. While Covid-19 is circulating at such high levels, we would advise you try to minimise close contact with others to limit further spread within our communities.
"It is important that we remain vigilant for symptoms. The typical symptoms are a new continuous cough, a high temperature or fever and a loss of, or change in, normal taste or smell. However, people with Covid-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including headache, sore muscles and joints, tiredness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting.
"Anyone that becomes unwell should isolate immediately and book a PCR test."
Far north MSP Maree Todd said the rise in Covid-19 cases in Caithness serves as a reminder that the pandemic is not yet over.
"The combination of colder weather and increased indoor socialising as part of the festive season leaves us vulnerable to a further rise in cases," said the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross. "For some time now, we have enjoyed a life less restricted by Covid-19 measures, but we know that in the event of increased transmission, our current baseline protective measures may need to be strengthened."
That could include extending the Covid certification scheme to wider indoor hospitality settings, increasing the use of face masks, making further improvements to ventilation in indoor settings and increased home working, she said.
"With community transmission on the rise in Caithness, increased caution is required to curb the spread of the virus," Ms Todd added.
"Please test regularly through the use of lateral flow devices, wear face masks when required, practice good hand hygiene and book a PCR test if you become unwell with Covid symptoms or receive a positive lateral flow test result.
"With the Covid-19 booster programme under way, please come forward when called upon to receive a vaccine and protect yourself against the virus."
