HEALTH bosses in Argyll and Bute say an increase in Covid cases across the area has been "particularly marked" in Helensburgh.

Officials from NHS Highland say the number of Covid cases in Argyll and Bute in the first two weeks of June has been more than double the total for the whole of May.

And the area's public health director says the "rapid increase" in Argyll and Bute cases is "concerning", with businesses and several schools affected.

According to the latest data from Public Health Scotland (PHS), there were 37 confirmed positive cases in Argyll and Bute in the seven days to Saturday, June 12.

That gives a rate of 43.1 confirmed positive cases per 100,000 people, placing Argyll and Bute 21st out of Scotland's 32 local authority areas.

The seven-day test positivity rate for the same period was 2.0 per cent.

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By contrast, four weeks earlier, for the seven days to May 15, there was just a single confirmed positive case for the whole of the council area.

Of the 37 cases confirmed in the area in the latest seven-day period, eight were in the Garelochhead neighbourhood – which takes in the whole of the Rosneath peninsula and HM Naval Base Clyde, as well as Garelochhead itself.

A further eight were in Helensburgh West and Rhu, and three were in Helensburgh East.

Oban South had six cases during the same period, while no other neighbourhood in the area had more than two – the point at which PHS no longer reveals exact numbers to protect patient confidentiality.

NHS Highland says the "significant increase" across the health board area – which stretches from Campbeltown to Thurso – is particularly notable in Argyll and Bute.

In addition to the overall rise in cases, Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland's director of public health, says the area, in common with other parts of the UK, is seeing an increase in cases attributed to the so-called Delta variant, which spreads much more easily.

Dr Allison said: “This has been such a challenging time for our communities but, thanks to everyone and how well they have followed the guidance, we are starting to see more freedom with the move to level one, or level zero for our island communities.

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“However, COVID has not gone away and the rapid increase in Argyll and Bute is concerning.

"In addition to the impacts on those directly affected by Covid-19, we are seeing wider impacts with local businesses and multiple schools affected.”

"Please continue to follow all the guidelines. Know what symptoms to look out for and, if you do experience symptoms, self-isolate immediately and seek a PCR test.

"In addition to the typical symptoms, 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 self-isolate immediately and seek a PCR test.

"Travel across Scotland and elsewhere in the UK is also something we can now enjoy again but I would appeal for caution from anyone who is travelling, particularly if they are going to an area that has a higher number of cases as this risks bringing infection back to our local communities.

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"Is the travel absolutely necessary? If you do visit areas that have a high rate of infection try to limit your contact with others on your return to limit any potential spread.

"We have been really encouraged by the engagement from our communities with the measures to date and the community of Fort William recently successfully contained the outbreak there. If we all work together and continue to adhere to the guidelines and take a very cautious approach in our daily lives we can fight the virus."

The Scottish Government's FACTS guidance remains in place: wear a Face covering; Avoid crowded places; Clean your hands regularly; maintain Two metres distance; and Self-isolate and book a test if you have symptoms.

People can access a PCR test by clicking here.

To access a rapid lateral flow test if you do not have symptoms, click here or visit your local pharmacy.

READ MORE: Catch up with the latest news headlines from around Helensburgh and Lomond here