Health Matters: More than 100,000 people in region have had a jab
THERE is good news about Covid: the number of positive cases diagnosed each day is decreasing across Highland and nationally, writes Dr Tim Allison.
Children are starting to go back to school, and we have heard about the plans from Scottish Government about the gradual easing of restrictions over the next few months.
Hospital staff are still working hard to treat patients infected with Covid, but research from across Scotland has shown that people who have been vaccinated with a first dose of vaccine are much less likely to become seriously ill when compared with people who have had no vaccine.
More and more people are being vaccinated and we have now passed 100,000 people across NHS Highland who have received their first dose.
Recent good weather will have made us feel better, and this also encouraged people to go walking, running or cycling. I even saw one person venturing into the sea and two others ready for a swim.
Physical activity will improve our mood as well as our overall health, and that is why it is both allowed and encouraged within the current level four restrictions.
It is great to be positive and to look forward to more normal times ahead, but at the same time we must make sure that we do not let our guard down.
We have seen low levels of Covid over the summer transform to considerable local spread after Christmas. The new variant of the virus with its rapid spread has been an unwelcome challenge.
The pandemic has taught us that we must avoid complacency and thinking that precautions are no longer necessary because there is a risk that the virus can come surging back.
We may be disappointed that the plans for moving away from current restrictions appear slow and depend on conditions being met, but we must avoid another rise in Covid by making changes too quickly. We all have a responsibility to play our part.
So, while I am delighted to see people enjoying the fresh air, I am concerned in case the measures needed to control Covid are not being followed, whether in the fresh air or indoors.
Staying away from friends and family outside our household is hard. Avoiding chatting at the school gates is hard. Keeping a two-metre distance from other people is not easy either, and it is a bigger distance that we may realise. However, following the level four regulations is vital for the time being.
Continuing with the more general precautions of social distancing, avoiding crowds, hand washing and use of face coverings will be crucial for many months. Indeed, proper hand washing is an important habit to continue for life to reduce the risk of many infections. This is all true whether or not we have been vaccinated.
Another key measure is Covid testing and the scope of this has been steadily expanding. Everyone who develops Covid symptoms of temperature, cough or change in taste or smell should isolate away from other people and get a test.
So, let’s enjoy the good news and the better weather, let’s look forward to a more normal life, but let’s also keep following Covid restrictions and advice to keep us all safer.
- Dr Tim Allison is NHS Highland’s director of public health and policy at NHS Highland
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