NHS Highland issues a reminder on what to to if you test positive for coronavirus or are identified as a close contact
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With cases of Covid-19 rising in the region, in line with the rest of the country, NHS Highland is reminding people to remember the importance of self-isolation if they test positive or are identified as a close contact.
There have been 900 confirmed cases in the Highlands since the start of the pandemic.
Dr Tim Allison, NHS Highland’s director of public health, said: “We are seeing an increasing number of confirmed cases across the NHS Highland area and, whilst localised outbreaks of infection have been seen, it is mostly individual sporadic Covid cases or small clusters, such as in families that we are seeing at the moment.
“We are learning and improving our processes for dealing with these cases at every opportunity but I am also making an appeal to everyone to help us in fighting this virus.”
The messages from Public Health and the Scottish Government ask that anyone with symptoms should self-isolate and book a test.
If, after testing, you are confirmed as having coronavirus you are asked to continue to self-isolate for 10 days as per the national guidance.
Anyone identified as a close contact of a confirmed case should also self-isolate for a period of 14 days, even if they get tested and it is negative, it is important that they self-isolate for those 14 days.
There is no need to get tested unless you have symptoms, such as new, continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste, or have been advised to by your local Health Protection team.
Dr Allison added: “We appreciate that there is local anxiety about Covid but we would appeal to everyone to follow the national guidance.
“Wear a face covering, avoid crowded areas, clean surfaces, keep a 2m distance and, what I would really like to stress, the importance of self-isolating and booking a test if you have symptoms.
“Everyone in Highland, Argyll and Bute has a role to play to keep the number of positive cases as low as possible.”
