NHS Highland urge for caution after "alarming rise" in COVID-19 cases

The Highland heath board are warning " COVID-19 has not gone away" following a sharp increase in positive cases.

NHS Highland say they have recorded 348 cases in June alone, compared with 154 registered last month.

Areas including Caithness, Inverness and Nairn are all seeing an rise in cases.

NHS Highland’s Director of Public Health, Dr Tim Allison explained why the region has seen an increase in positive test results.

He said: "As well as an increase in cases, we are seeing an increasing number of outbreaks in our communities. COVID-19 is spreading much more rapidly as a result of the Delta variant and because of the increase in mixing.

“COVID-19 has definitely not gone away.

"Not only is this rise in cases impacting on the individuals affected but multiple school classes are self-isolating, businesses across Highland have closed due to outbreaks and there have also been impacts on our local healthcare services as a result of staff isolating.

"It is vital that we all continue to follow the Scottish Government FACTS guidance and that we all minimise contact with other people to try and reduce the spread ​whilst the rates of COVID-19 are high.

"Although the levels have reduced, this doesn’t mean that COVID-19 has gone away."

Dr Allison also urged Highland residents to follow guidelines should they start showing symptoms.

He added: "Given the rapid rise in cases, the contact tracing team are working extremely hard but it is taking a little bit longer for the contact tracing team to make contact.

"I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the public for their engagement and for everything they are doing to try to reduce the spread within their local communities.

"Please bear with the team and continue to isolate and the team will be in touch as soon as they can.

"The vaccination programme is incredibly successful but not everyone has been vaccinated and it is vital that we are cautious until everyone has had an opportunity to be vaccinated.

"Please limit your contact with other people to try to minimise the risk of further spread."

Hear all the latest news from across the North of Scotland on the hour, every hour, at MFR. Listen on FM, via our MFR app, on your DAB radio, online at MFR.co.uk, or say ‘Play MFR’ on your Smart Speaker.