Health officials have urged people in Argyll and Bute to remain cautious now that Covid-19 restrictions are below level zero – with cases expected to rise over the next few weeks.
On Monday new freedoms announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, including the end of social distancing, took effect.
But today Dr Tim Allison, director of public health for NHS Highland, said in early August there had been a significant increase in coronavirus cases compared to previous weeks.
Latest data from Public Health Scotland shows the following numbers of positive cases in local ‘neighbourhoods’ for the seven days to August 7:
- Helensburgh East: 12 cases
- Helensburgh Centre: 8
- Garelochhead, which incudes the Rosneath Peninsula: 7
- Helensburgh West and Rhu: 5
- Lomond Shore, which includes Cardross: 3
Across Argyll and Bute as a whole there were 106 new positive cases.
Dr Allison said: “It has been a very challenging few months for everyone and it is right that the new-found freedoms we now have should be enjoyed.
“We can now catch up with family and friends, and travel bit more. However, with relaxing of the restrictions and schools about to go back we are expecting a further rise in cases.
“Everyone has worked so hard to keep Covid at bay. It is thanks to everyone’s hard work that we are where we are but I would make a plea that we all still remain vigilant over symptoms to ensure that these new found freedoms are not short lived.
” I am acutely aware that the majority of people will want to move forward and we can still do that. However, we need to be aware of what symptoms to look out for and, if you have them, the importance of isolating immediately and arranging for a PCR test.
“The typical symptoms are a new continuous cough, a high temperature or fever and a loss of, or change in, normal taste or smell (anosmia).
“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.”
The Public Health Scotland figures also show very high vaccination rates across Argyll and Bute:
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