Ward at Caithness General Hospital closed to new admissions amid rise in Covid cases
NHS Highland has warned that Covid-19 has not gone away and is "still a very real risk" after a ward at Caithness General Hospital was closed to new admissions because of the number of patients testing positive.
Visiting at the Bignold ward is "essential only" for the time being and a call has gone out to the wider public to continue taking steps to limit spread of the virus.
A spokesperson for the health board said today: "Bignold ward at Caithness General Hospital has seen a number of patients testing positive for Covid-19.
"All infection control precautions are in place and patient care on the ward is continuing as normal. The ward has been closed to new admissions and patient visiting is essential only but this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
"After a long period where we have seen the number of Covid-19 cases in NHS Highland declining, we have started to see a rise in positive numbers.
"Thankfully a smaller percentage of people are becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 – this is thanks in large part to the vaccination programme. However, we are seeing an increase in the number of people in hospital who have been admitted for other reasons but then start displaying symptoms and test positive.
"We have also started to see outbreaks in hospitals resulting in wards being closed to admissions, with patients affected as well as staff.
"We are slowly seeing the world moving back to a new normal but Covid-19 has not gone away and is still a very real risk and can still have an impact on people and services.
"We are asking everyone to keep using Covid-19 sense and keep doing the things that protect you and your loved ones, particularly if you are visiting a healthcare or care home setting.
"This includes washing hands regularly, keeping areas ventilated, wearing a face covering when coming into a hospital setting and staying at home if you’re unwell with symptoms or have a fever."
Vaccine clinics in the north are listed on the NHS Highland website.
The spokesperson added: "We are expecting letters inviting those aged 50-64 to make appointments to come through people's doors from next week. Some will have them already."