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New coronavirus lockdown is 'sensible decision', says Highland GP


By Hector MacKenzie

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Dr Ross Jaffrey.
Dr Ross Jaffrey.

A Highland doctor, whose long-running campaign to keep people safe from Covid-19 has won thousands of followers, believes the new form of lockdown which has angered many "is starting to look like a sensible decision".

Debate is still raging over the Scottish Government’s decision to escalate the region from a level one to four footing – which started on Boxing Day – amid fears about a fast-spreading mutant form of the virus.

Business leaders have warned some small firms may go under and many are already counting the cost of lost trade.

The decision also means a prolonged school holiday for thousands of children, creating a childcare nightmare for some parents and a headache for frazzled teachers.

But Inverness-based GP Dr Ross Jaffrey, whose Safe Hands Saves Lives campaign has drawn widespread plaudits for its straight-talking factual approach to sharing cornonavirus information and advice, said: "I do think there has been a lot of confusion recently and carrot dangling by certain quarters in the lead-up to Christmas.

"I think Highland communities have done extremely well at halting Covid-19 spread. We did not have the spikes predicted due to sensible measures taken by hotels, local business and shops to protect others.

"I think the population density has curtailed much of how this disease spreads – so much so that Raigmore and surrounding community hospitals have not been the harbours of Covid-19 many thought they might have been early on in the pandemic.

"We reacted quickly when levels were low and have generally stuck to the rules.

"Local GP practices have been integral in guiding families through this difficult time, managing huge levels of anxiety related to social isolation and the fear of Covid. Local outbreaks were being contact traced quickly by affected individuals and families, even prior to the official contact tracing."

The GP, who runs medical surgeries in Beauly, Muir of Ord and Cannich, hailed some businesses for taking a lead on self-testing staff.

He said: "Our care homes, serviced by local staff, have been tested weekly and again have proven fantastic early warning bell weathers for their surrounding areas. We are lucky to have such commitment and uptake among these groups to test themselves weekly remains high."

Acknowledging differences of opinion, he said that given there had been a rise in Scotland’s virus numbers and the fact NHS Highland had witnessed its highest seven-day case rate average, the new measures were “starting to look like a sensible decision and should hopefully have a more limited local economic impact as the benefits of a more stable ‘reopening’ at the end of January appear”.

Dr Jaffrey added the new version of lockdown was a chance to drive down Covid-19 numbers and the area could even return to level one restrictions afterwards.

He added: "There are still many businesses struggling who have lost so much due to these recent changes and they need huge support. We are still waiting on the community vaccination plans which will hopefully be forthcoming just after the New Year."


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