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Covid cluster confirmed in Dumfries

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By Charlotte MacKay
Dumfries and West
Covid cluster confirmed in Dumfries

HEALTH officials are currently investigating a cluster of Covid-19 cases in the Dumfries area.

Yesterday a spokesman for NHS Dumfries and Galloway confirmed that they are working closely with the locations involved – some of which are healthcare settings – to manage the situation.

The exact number of cases in the cluster has not been confirmed, although individuals affected are being contacted by the local Test and Protect team.

An NHS spokeswoman said anyone attending health care settings should be assured that high standards of infection control, with additional specific measures, are in place.

The announcement came in the same week that Dumfries and Galloway reported 12 new positive cases of Covid-19 – the biggest weekly increase in almost three months.

Figures released yesterday afternoon show that the region has reported a total of 326 positive tests, up from 314 last week.

This is the biggest spike since mid-June, when statistic reporting was updated to reflect tests carried out in all settings.

However, the region’s coronavirus death toll remains at 44, and Dumfries and Galloway still has the lowest cumulative number of positive cases in mainland Scotland.

Yesterday First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a “tightening and extension” of lockdown rules in response to concerns that the coronavirus pandemic may be accelerating in Scotland.

The planned reopening of theatres, music venues and indoor contact sports has been pushed back three weeks.

And from Monday, only six people from two households will be able to meet indoors or outdoors – including in homes, gardens, pubs and restaurants.

Meanwhile data released on Wednesday by National Records of Scotland shows that a total of 511 deaths were recorded in Dumfries and Galloway between April and June.

Coronavirus was the fourth biggest cause of death during this period behind cancer, circulatory diseases and dementia.