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Highland coronavirus victim from Drumnadrochit warns others to be vigilant


By Louise Glen

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The virus victim is from Drumnadrochit. Picture: Alison White.
The virus victim is from Drumnadrochit. Picture: Alison White.

A SHOP worker in Drumnadrochit has confirmed she is being treated for coronavirus in a bid to urge others to be vigilant.

Sharon Ward, who has an underlying health condition, pleaded with her friends to raise awareness of her condition to let others know they might be at risk.

Mrs Ward works at Loch Ness Gifts in the village.

It is understood she is being cared for at Raigmore Hospital, though NHS Highland was unable to confirm this due to patient confidentiality rules.

Her friend Michelle Scott, a local photographer, shared news of Mrs Ward’s diagnosis on social media.

Speaking to the Inverness Courier, she said: “No-one wants to be the person who has to tell people this news and the post was really difficult to write, but I have been asked to do it – awareness needs to be spread. Angela has said there is no room for complacency.

“As poorly as Sharon is, she still wanted people to know, so they could protect themselves.”

It is understood Mrs Ward’s husband and son are now in self isolation.

Fellow residents of Drumnadrochit were in shock at the news yesterday.

John MacBride said: “Everyone wants Sharon to get well as quickly as possible. She has been very brave coming out and telling people.

“It just shows you the manner of the woman she is.”

Leader of Highland Council and local councillor Margaret Davidson, who lives in Drumnadrochit, said: “If Sharon wants people to know in order for them to be more vigilant then I think she has done a very brave thing.

“Everyone is thinking of her and her family.

“This is a virus that is real, and people need to be very careful.

“We live in a place where we can still get out and about walking in the Highlands, but we must be very careful about who we come into contact with, and to minimise the risks involved.”

The owners of Loch Ness Gifts said: “Our thoughts are obviously with Sharon and family at this difficult time and we wish for a speedy and full recovery.”

The shop is currently closed.

The Scottish Government updates the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus daily.

As of yesterday there were 6 confirmed cases in the NHS Highland region.

Some people have argued that it would be more useful if the locale of confirmed cases was more specific, with the Highland region covering a vast area of widely disparate communities.

However a spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “We cannot release information about individual patients as this would breach their confidentiality.

“We are releasing information everyday about where cases are.

“Everyone should follow the guidelines about keeping themselves and their families safe.”


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