PEOPLE in Helensburgh and Lomond are being urged to try and minimise contact with others as the number of Covid cases in the area continues to accelerate.
Officials at NHS Highland have warned there is now a "significant situation" in the area, with 32 new cases identified since Wednesday.
Health bosses say "multiple schools have been affected and businesses have had to close", and that they expect case numbers to rise further in the coming days.
According to the latest figures issued by Public Health Scotland (PHS), cases across Argyll and Bute have almost tripled in the space of seven week-long reporting periods.
In the seven days to June 7, there were 22 confirmed positive tests in the area.
That number increased to 42 in the week to June 13 – but within 24 hours, there was the biggest spike yet, with 62 cases confirmed in the seven days to June 14.
The biggest increase has been in the Garelochhead neighbourhood – covering HM Naval Base Clyde and the whole of the Rosneath peninsula as well as Garelochhead itself – where the number of confirmed cases rose from eight in the week to June 12, to 12 in the week to June 13.
And 24 hours later, PHS reported that there had been 27 cases in the Garelochhead area in the seven days to June 14.
In other local neighbourhoods, Helensburgh West and Rhu had six cases in the same period – down slightly from eight in the week to June 13 – while there were seven cases confirmed in the Cowal North neighbourhood, which includes Arrochar, Tarbet and Succoth, four in Helensburgh East, and three in Helensburgh Central.
While the Garelochhead neighbourhood is the home of both Faslane and Coulport, an MoD spokesperson told the Advertiser there had been no spike in cases among personnel at the naval base.
There have also been smaller outbreaks in recent days in the neighbourhoods of Oban South and Benderloch.
A spokesperson for NHS Highland said: "Given the increase in cases, and community outbreaks in Helensburgh, Garelochhead and Oban, we would advise that people in these communities try to minimise contact with others to limit any further spread and access PCR testing in order to try to contain the outbreaks.
READ MORE: Scotland 'unlikely to ease Covid lockdown until late July', says First Minister
"There are community testing sites in Oban and Helensburgh and available through appointment to everyone, whether you have symptoms or not.
"To book an appointment, you can contact NHS Inform online or by calling 0800 028 2816. When booking you should select the option ‘I have been asked to book by my local council or health protection team’ which will allow you to get tested even if you don’t have symptoms. Postal PCR kits are also available through NHS Inform."
People are also being urged to remain vigilant for the symptoms of Covid-19, typically 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 who becomes unwell is being advised isolate immediately and seek a PCR test.
Dr Tim Allison, director of public health with NHS Highland, said: “This is a significant situation and we expect the case numbers to rise further.
"Please continue to follow all guidance from NHS Highland’s contact tracing team. If you have been identified as a close contact, please self-isolate and get a PCR test.
"If you are identified as a close contact and your test is negative you must continue to isolate for 10 days as advised.”
Dr Allison added: “I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the communities for their engagement and for taking action to try to contain the outbreaks.”
Support for people who need to self-isolate is available, including a £500 self-isolation support grant for low income workers – click here for details.
People who do not have family or community support can also call the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000, or contact via textphone on 0800 111 4114.
More information on self-isolation support is available from ready.scot/coronavirus.
READ MORE: Click here for all the latest news headlines from around Helensburgh and Lomond
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel