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Covid Update 1st June

June 8, 2021 in Healthcare

Over the last 7 days there have 89 new positive cases in Highland (to 3rd June).  This means the latest rate per 100,000 has increased from 4.7 when last reported to you two weeks ago to 37.7 per 100,000 as of 1st June.  This is reflective of the increase in cases in the Fort William area but also an increase in cases around the Aviemore area.  

It highlights the need to remain vigilant and to stick to the FACTS – Face Coverings, Avoid Crows, Clean Hands, Two Metres, Self Isolate.

Changes in Restrictions

The Scottish Government confirmed this week that from Saturday 5 June, Highland will move into level 1.  Key features and changes to restrictions at level 1 include:

  • Indoor socialising – maximum 8 people from up to 3 households may socialise indoors in a public place. Maximum of 6 people from up to 3 households may socialise in a private dwelling
  • Outdoor socialising – maximum of 12 people from up to 12 households Under 12s do not count towards restricted numbers or households outdoors
  • Hospitality: Outdoors: local licensing laws apply, Indoors: Closed 23:00 Indoors (8 people/3 households) or outdoors (12 people/12 households) socialising rules apply
  • Leisure and entertainment – All open, with the exception of nightclubs.  Indoor organised adult non-professional performing arts activities permitted.
  • Events and Stadia – Maximum capacities* Indoors: 200 Outdoors seated: 1,000 Outdoors free-standing: 500
  • Going to work/Work from home – work from home where possible
  • Life events – Weddings/Civil Partnerships – 100, Funerals – 100, Post-funeral/wedding receptions permitted – maximum 100 (alcohol permitted)

Fort William Outbreak

The case numbers in the Fort William area have continued to grow this week with the latest update from NHS Highland suggesting that there are over 70 positive cases in the area.  There continues to be a large proportion of the cases that visited bars in Fort William on Saturday 22nd May. Those customers that visited Sunny’s Bar have been identified as close contacts and advised to self-isolate.

The message continues to be that people across the community should be vigilant for any signs of symptoms.  For customers that visited other local bars on Saturday 22 May, please be vigilant for symptoms and consider taking a PCR test.    

If you do believe you have symptoms, please self-isolate and book a PCR test.

Postal PCR kits are available through NHS Inform either online here or by calling 0800 028 2816.

In addition to the local support that is available, people can get support to self isolate by calling the Council’s helpline number: 0300 303 1362.  This can include access to food and supplies to self isolate and individuals may be entitled to a £500 self isolation support grant. 

Please do share information about the outbreak, where to get tested and where to get support across your networks. 

Community Testing 7 June – 11 June

For groups in Badenoch and Strathspey, the community testing unit will continue to be in Aviemore on Saturday 5th June and all of next week.  The mobile unit will be at the retail unit on Grampian Road in Aviemore on the following days and times:

  • Saturday 5 June 10.30 am to 4 pm. 
  • Mon 7 June – Friday 11 June 9.30 to 5 pm.  

The community testing programme offers rapid COVID-19 tests for people without symptoms, and a mobile asymptomatic testing unit was deployed to Aviemore on Wednesday 2 June. There had been small clusters of cases and the people traced to these clusters have been isolating. The mobile testing unit will now remain in Aviemore until Friday 11 June.

At this point, there is still no evidence of wider community transmission. The testing will help identify any asymptomatic cases that may occur, and allow people to become confident in using the test kits.

No appointment is necessary and it will be open both for asymptomatic testing and to collect LFD test kits.

I would appreciate it if you could encourage people across your networks to attend.

Thank you for everything that you are doing in your communities

Best wishes

Alison

Alison Clark

Head of Policy

Highland Council